UPDATE (6:50 p.m.) - The Gifford Fire has burned an estimated 5,000 acres, according to CAL FIRE.
The fire is burning mostly within the Los Padres National Forest.
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UPDATE (5:57 p.m.) - In San Luis Obispo County, evacuations have been ordered for the following zones: LPF-016, LPF-017, LPF-019, and SLC-337.
This includes the area north of Highway 166, east of Cable Corral Road, south of Tajea Flats Road, and west of Chimineas Road.
Click here to determine your evacuation zone.
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UPDATE (5:30 p.m.) - Evacuations have been ordered in Santa Barbara County for the area south of Highway 166, east of Willow Springs Trailhead, and west of Cottonwood Canyon Road.
WATCH: Video from the scene of the Gifford Fire
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UPDATE (3:52 p.m.) - The Gifford Fire, made up of a series of fires that broke out Friday afternoon on Highway 166 east of Santa Maria, has so far burned 818 acres, according to CAL FIRE.
Containment is 0%.
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UPDATE (3:04 p.m.) - Highway 166 is closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama as a result of the fire. There is no estimated time for reopening.
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(2:41 p.m.) - Firefighters are responding to a series of brush fires along Highway 166 near the Gifford Trailhead, about 30 miles east of Santa Maria.
According to Los Padres National Forest officials, there are four separate fires along the north side of the highway, ranging in size between two and 10 acres.
The fires were first reported at about 1:55 p.m.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a portion of 166 is expected to be closed due to the fire.
The Gifford Fire is burning just west of where the Madre Fire broke out one month ago. That fire burned a total of 80,779 acres before reaching 100% containment in late July.
This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
