The Gifford Fire has reached "mega fire" status at over 119,000 acres burned and has become California's largest fire this year.

The Gifford Fire has scorched more than 96,000 acres of California’s Central Coast, becoming the state’s largest wildfire of the year so far. The massive wildfire burning in eastern San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties was 15% contained as of Thursday, Aug. 7, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Gifford Fire originated in the city of Solvang, about 15 miles northeast of Santa Maria, and was 37% contained as of Tuesday, fire officials said.