SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Footage shot from a helicopter showed columns of smoke billowing up from the Gifford Fire in California on Tuesday.

The wildfire has been burning about 15 miles southeast of Santa Maria in Southern California since Friday, scorching more than 96,000 acres in six days.

Aerial footage showed the Gifford Fire sending thick plumes of smoke into the air, high enough to reach the clouds.

Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, with some areas within those counties under evacuation warnings.

Officials noted that overnight winds of more than 30 mph Wednesday night caused a western portion of the fire to grow, leading to new evacuation orders being issued for nearby areas.

WATCH: CALIFORNIA'S GIFFORD FIRE RACES UP HILLSI

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