Gifford Fire officials report minimal growth overnight after a rapid expansion of the fire on the northwest side on Thursday.

The fire broke out one week ago, on August 1, along Highway 166 east of Santa Maria, burning on both sides of the highway into San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

As of Friday morning, the fire has burned 99,232 acres and is 15% contained — the same numbers reported Thursday night.

Officials say a temperature inversion overnight helped to reduce wind and hold in moisture, creating better firefighting conditions. The goal for firefighters on Friday will be to continue building control lines around the growth on the northwest side of the fire, mopping up on the east and west sides, and connecting control lines in the San Rafael Wilderness on the south side.

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