A massive wildfire is threatening hundreds of homes in central California after injuring at least three people as it tore through a forest.
The Gifford Fire scorched more than 260sq km of coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and was still burning out of control in Los Padres National Forest, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
A motorist injured after exiting his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelson, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned.
The blaze threatened about 450 structures and forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria. It grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield.
"That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions," Bertelson said.
"The fire is gobbling up chapparal and brushland and running up very steep slopes."
Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames.
More than 1000 firefighters were battling hot, dry weather and erratic winds to make progress against the blaze before winds were forecast to whip up around dusk.
The causes of the fires are under investigation.