Three people were injured and more than 800 buildings are threatened by a fire in Central California, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The "Gifford" fire has burned more than 293 square kilometers of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and according to updated information from the US Forest Service as of last night, the fire is 3% contained.
More than 1,900 employees have been battling the flames since Friday. The causes of the fire are under investigation.
The flames are threatening 872 buildings and forced the closure of a highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city with a population of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara County. The area is home to many California oaks and sycamores and is also known for its wine industry.
Firefighters have made great progress on the western, northern and eastern flanks of the fire and have made significant efforts to protect buildings on the southern side, officials said.
A motorcyclist was hospitalized with burns after getting off his motorcycle and being engulfed in flames, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Fleming Bertelson. Two firefighters assisting the fire were also injured after their off-road vehicle overturned.
Specialized aircraft were also used to fight the fire, and local farmers began evacuating their livestock yesterday evening.