The Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties is now the largest California wildfire of the year with over 82,000 acres burned, and officials warn it could get significantly worse when hot and dry weather hits the region this week.

Over 1,000 firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in California that has over 72,000 acres, prompted evacuation orders and caused three injuries, according to officials. The Gifford Fire, which began on Friday afternoon,

Millions of Americans across the Midwest, Northeast and swathes of the South and Southwest are under air quality alerts Monday. Newsweek's live blog is closed.

The Gifford Fire in Southern California has burned over 82,000 acres and prompted evacuations in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Mandatory evacuations are in place for specific zones in both counties, with additional areas under evacuation warnings.

The Gifford Fire, a wildfire burning in Central California that has destroyed over 82,000 acres in five days, continues to rage and is now accompanied by two additional fires emerging nearby, according to officials.

A wildfire that ignited Friday in Southern California has exploded to tens of thousands of acres as nearly 2,000 firefighters work to get the blaze under control.

Firefighters are battling several wildfires across Southern California, with the Gifford Fire burning 72,460 acres in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.