Bay Area Fire Departments Dispatch Engines, Strike Teams to Fight Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo

Updated 5:56 p.m.

Nearly 20 Bay Area fire departments have deployed resources to San Luis Obispo to combat California’s largest fire yet in 2025, a blaze which has consumed nearly 100,000 acres of land since it worsened Thursday morning.

Fire departments and districts of all sizes, ranging from Sonoma to San Francisco, and in the south, from Watsonville Fire Department to Zayante Fire Protection District in Felton, have all confirmed dispatching engines, strike teams and other resources to help fight the fire that broke out on Aug. 1 along Highway 166.

According to a Cal Fire status report from the first day of the wildfire, the blaze consumed roughly 800 acres, a number that would multiply across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties by more than tenfold within a week.

The U.S. Forest Service released an incident update on Thursday morning that overnight winds exceeded 30 mph, causing the blaze to spread rapidly and prompting more evacuations.

A spokesperson for Alameda County Fire Department confirmed that two engines and a strike team leader trainee were deployed to help fight the wildfire on Aug. 2, and dispatched an additional safety officer just two days later.

Marin County also sent 40 firefighters to help, according to a spokesperson for its fire department.

San Francisco’s Fire Department Lieutenant Elias Mariano told KQED that the department sent a strike team to the site on Aug. 6; each strike team comprised of five engines, each engine carrying three crew members.

An additional chief’s vehicle was also deployed.

Mariano said the Office of Emergency Services called out their crews to respond to the fire.

He said the state actually owns the vehicles, and they’re housed within several different firehouses in San Francisco.

At any moment’s notice, Mariano said, SFFD is required to provide the personnel on those fire engines to immediately respond.

“San Francisco fire is well-trained, we’re ready to help people whenever needed,” Mariano said. “We appreciate the support from anyone who waves at us.”