SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - The Gifford Fire burning in California is impacting tens of thousands of acres of land and is being fed by hot, dry conditions.

It even produced a wild smoke tornado at one point.

Smoke fills the air as the Gifford Fire continues to burn close to Highway 166 and residential areas.

Scott Safechuck with Santa Barbara County Fire says hot, dry, windy conditions are contributing to the fire's growth.

"When the fire started, it was on both sides of Highway 166 and going into San Luis County and Santa Barbara County. But the majority of the fire really has grown in that south, edge of the fire in the Santa Barbara County into the Tepesquet area," Safechuck shared.

With the fire's southward movement, Safechuck says the Madre Fire burn scars t

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