SANTA MARIA, Calif. —

A massive wildfire is threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people Monday as it tore through Los Padres National Forest.

The Gifford Fire scorched more than 100 square miles of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. Advertisement

A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned.

The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the hig

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