UPDATE (7:37 p.m.) - Santa Barbara County officials have issued an evacuation warning east of the Rock Front Area, west of Cottonwood Canyon Road, and south of Highway 166. Residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.
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UPDATE (5:57 p.m.) - The Madre Fire has grown to 9,800 acres, with 0% containment, according to CAL FIRE.
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UPDATE (4:19 p.m.) - Updated mapping shows the Madre Fire has burned 8,396 acres, according to CAL FIRE.
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UPDATE (3:51 p.m.) - An evacuation order has been issued for Evacuation Zone SLC-337 and an evacuation warning issued for Evacuation Zone SLC-312 in San Luis Obispo County.
To see if you are in an evacuation zone, check out the Evacuation Status Map at emergencyslo.org.
WATCH: Video from the scene of the Madre Fire
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UPDATE (3:30 p.m.) - Highway 166 is closed from Highway 101 to Perkins Road near New Cuyama as a result of the fire. There is no estimated time of reopening.
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UPDATE (3:07 p.m.) - The Madre Fire has grown to more than 3,300 acres, according to CAL FIRE, with 0% containment.
Fire officials are asking travelers to avoid Highway 166 between Highway 101 and New Cuyama.
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(2:06 p.m.) - Firefighters are responding to a fire off Highway 166 about halfway between Santa Maria and Cuyama.
The fire was first reported at about 1:05 p.m. east of Sycamore Creek and just west of Rock Front Ranch.
According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, initial estimates put the fire at 100 acres in size.
Images from ALERTCalifornia cameras in the area show the fire putting up a large plume of smoke.
It is reported to be burning close to the roadway, according to the California Highway Patrol. Travelers should expect road closures in the area.
According to the National Weather Service, the current temperature in the area near the fire is 95 degrees with 20% humidity and winds gusting to 15 mph.
This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
