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 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.

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.

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

A wildfire in Southern California sparked early Thursday evening and grew quickly in size overnight. Hundreds of firefighters continue to fight the new Canyon Fire that has spread to around 5,370 acres.

The warnings were lifted as of 7 a.m. Saturday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Evacuation orders in the county were downgraded to a warning on Friday. Evacuation warnings in Ventura County also have been lifted,