California wildfire scorches over 26,000 hectares

Reuters

A wildfire in California has burned more than 26,000 hectares across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with only 3% containment as of Monday, according to state fire officials.

Dubbed the Gifford Fire, the blaze has prompted evacuations and threatens hundreds of buildings as well as key energy and communication infrastructure near Los Padres National Forest.

The fire, active since Friday, is moving through grasslands, brush, and chaparral around 24 kilometres northeast of Santa Maria. Three people have been injured.

It is burning close to the site of the Madre Fire, which destroyed over 32,000 hectares earlier this summer.

California is currently battling multiple wildfires, with more than 42,000 hectares affected statewide.

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