The fire has prompted evacuation orders, warnings, and highway closures in San Luis Obispo County around 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

According to Cal Fire, the Madre Fire started at 1:07 p.m. along state Route 166 near New Cuyama, which is a major road on the way to Las Vegas. The blaze was at 9,800 acres and zero containment as of 10:11 p.m.

Pushed by fast winds, a fire burned more than 3,000 acres within two hours Wednesday afternoon along the border between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.