The Gifford Fire burning in central California has burned more than 119,000 acres as of early Monday, having expanded to reach "megafire" status since it began earlier in August. Newsweek contacted U.S. Forest Service for comment via email on Monday.

The Gifford Fire burning through the rugged backcountry of California's Central Coast is now the state's largest wildfire of the year. It has reached so-called "mega-fire" status and is one of 38 large fires burning across nine states.

Burning over 100,000 acres in Los Padres National Forest, it has triggered evacuations and poses a long-term threat due to dry conditions, rugged terrain and a buildup of fire-prone vegetation.

A rapidly spreading blaze in California is impacting communities in the Los Angeles area as thousands have been placed under evacuation orders, officials said.

The fire has scorched an estimated 5,400 acres north of Los Angeles, but Ventura County officials said firefighters were making “good progress in suppressing the blaze.”

Fire officials say the blaze is threatening power lines as well as the communities of Hasley Canyon and Hathaway Ranch.