The Gifford Fire is 73% contained as of Saturday morning, with acreage burned holding at 132,605 acres.

Fire officials said Friday evening that staffing is being reduced because of the success of backfiring operations earlier in the week. Just less than 4,800 personnel remain assigned to the Gifford Fire, down from a high of nearly 4,980 on Wednesday.

The northwest area of the fire in the Garcia Wilderness remains uncontained but fire officials say crews are making progress, aided by improved weather conditions, including higher humidity overnight.

The Gifford Fire broke out on August 1, along Highway 166 east of Santa Maria. The highway was reopened on Wednesday, but Caltrans says drivers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes as road crews repair damage caused by the fire.

Five str

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