Temporary evacuation sites were established at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School in Santa Maria and the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center in New Cuyama, Cal Fire said. The agency also reported that Highway 166 was closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama.

Nearly 2,000 firefighters are fighting a battle against the Gifford wildfire in central California that has already burned more than 72,000 acres.

The blaze injured three people, put hundreds under evacuation orders and threatened 460 structures, officials said.