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

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.

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.