Update: (4:50 a.m.)
All lanes are back open on Highway 166 Bull Canyon Road near Santa Maria to Highway 101 near Nipomo.
According to CHP, the highway closure had been lifted just after midnight.
New Start - Road Fire
— Los Padres NF (@LosPadresNF) September 15, 2023
Location: Six miles east of Rockfront Ranch on the south side of Hwy 166. 20 acres at present, burning in grass and moving into the brush. Resources on scene from Los Padres NF, SB Co Fire, and Cal Fire.
Photo credit: Santa Barbara Co. ASU pic.twitter.com/GKTqF3Xz71
Original Script:
Highway 166 was closed Thursday night due to a fire in the New Cuyama area.
As of 9:04 p.m., the Los Padres National Forest was reporting the fire to be about 20 acres in size.
It was reportedly burning in grass but moving toward brush about six miles east of Rockfront Ranch on the south side of Highway 166.
Multiple agencies have responded including Santa Barbara County Fire, CAL FIRE and firefighters with the Los Padres National Forest.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Highway 166 is closed between Highway 101 in Santa Maria and Highway 33.
According to initial reports into CHP, the fire was initially reported around 6:40 p.m. as a vehicle fire.
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
