Fire crews in Ventura County responded to a significant brush fire on Monday night near Auto Center Drive, with the first report emerging around 6:50 p.m. The blaze ignited in the Santa Clara River bottom, which sits between Ventura and Oxnard, amid strong Santa Ana winds.
By 11:45 p.m., the fire had consumed approximately 55.7 acres, though containment was reported at 0%. Firefighters, equipped with about a dozen pieces of equipment, continued to work at the scene into Tuesday morning, focusing their efforts on mopping up the area. Firefighter Andrew Dowd indicated there was currently no information on the fire’s cause.
Due to the fire’s location, Dowd mentioned that it was not expected to threaten any structures, allowing firefighters to concentrate their efforts without concerns for residential evacuations. An evacuation order was put in place around 9:30 p.m. for the Santa Clara River area between the 101 Freeway and Victoria Avenue, but there were no residential structures at risk.
The fire, initially estimated at just 5 acres within the first hour of its start, saw rapid response from ground crews and helicopters, which effectively mobilized for water drops. The flames briefly spread to the RiverRidge Golf Club across the river in Oxnard, prompting plans to activate sprinklers on the course.
As the night progressed, the fire was categorized as moving quickly through medium fuel, necessitating the presence of around 100 firefighters by 9:30 p.m. to combat the flames over an estimated area of 10-11 acres. Traffic disruptions were reported along Victoria Avenue due to the ongoing firefighting efforts.
In a related incident, another fire known as the Royal Fire was reported shortly after 7:48 p.m. in Simi Valley. This fire reignited concerns over fire weather, as Ventura County was facing extreme conditions characterized by a “particularly dangerous situation” designation. This PDS red flag warning had been issued by the National Weather Service effective from 4 a.m. Tuesday to 12 p.m. Wednesday. Such warnings are rare and have only been used a handful of times since their introduction, often in relation to significant fires in the region.
The ongoing efforts by fire crews underscore the community’s resilience in managing emergencies. As the situation evolves, the hope remains that firefighters can quickly bring these fires under control while ensuring the safety of all residents and nearby structures.