wildfires

As of Tuesday morning, the Gifford Fire has burned 122,065 acres. It started on August 1.

The Gifford Fire has burned more than 72,000 acres as of 6 p.m. Monday. Highway 166 remains closed from Santa Maria to New Cuyama.

The California Vegetation Burn Severity Online Viewer has data for all wildfires of more than a thousand acres in the Tri-Counties and statewide.

Air quality has been good to moderate for the region so far, but the concern is that changes in weather conditions could send smoke from the Madre Fire towards populated areas.

Hundreds of northern tidewater gobies are rescued from a creek impacted by the Palisades wildfire. Fish are moved to temporary waters before being returned to Topanga Creek this week.

A bill co-authored by a local legislator would allow an aerial firefighting company to buy surplus military planes and parts for firefighting.

Ventura County is set to ramp up for peak fire threat on June 22.

The modified C-130 cargo planes served as air tankers. Crews from around the Western U.S. recently visited the Ventura County base to train for future wildfires.

The legislation would make it easier for utility companies to remove branches and trees that threaten power lines.

Ventura County is still in high fire season and hasn't dropped to winter preparedness levels yet.