The Gifford Fire burning east of Santa Maria has exploded to nearly 50-thousand acres as of late Sunday. The fire along Highway 166 is said to be only around 3 percent contained at this time. Orders for immediate evacuation are in effect in multiple zones. Three people have been injured. The fast moving fire is burning near the Madre Fire scar and has now crossed Branch Mountain Road to the north. On the southeast side, it continued advancing toward Pine Canyon. A Red Cross evacuation center has been opened at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School, 4949 Foxen Canyon Rd., in Santa Maria.