A massive California wildfire burning through Los Padres National Forest beginning August 4 has scorched over 100 square miles (260 square km) across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, threatening around 450 structures and forcing highway closures east of Santa Maria. The Gifford Fire remains uncontained, according to Cal Fire (the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection).
At least three people were injured: a motorist hospitalized with burns after being overrun by flames, and two contract workers hurt in an ATV accident while assisting firefighting efforts.
The fire is spreading through a hilly, agricultural area northwest of Santa Barbara, known for its wine industry and dense oak and sycamore forests.
The intensity and destruction of wildfires around the world have grown exponentially in recent years. Each year brings even more devastating disasters, setting terrible new records across many countries.Click through the following gallery to learn more about some of the most catastrophic fires in recent history.