Fire officials will host community meetings in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande tonight at 7 p.m. to address the status and impact of the Gifford fire on the region and answer residents' questions.

The fire, which has burned 96,106 acres and is 15% contained as of Thursday morning, according to officials, shrouded much of southern San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties in smokey haze.

Ash floated in the air in Santa Maria, coating vehicles and asphalt.

In Santa Maria the meeting will be held at Santa Barbara County Fire Station 23 at 5003 Depot St. beginning at 7 p.m.

Residents can also tune in virtually on YouTube and Facebook .

In San Luis Obispo County, the meeting will be held at the Five Cities Fire Authority at 140 Traffic Way in Arroyo Grande at 7 p.m.

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