Firefighters in Ventura County are currently engaged in combating a brushfire known as the Auto Fire, which ignited on Monday night in the Santa Clara River bottom near N. Ventura Boulevard and Auto Center Drive. The Ventura County Fire Department reported that the fire was first noted around 7:45 PM and has been fueled by strong winds, with gusts reaching between 20 and 30 miles per hour.
The blaze escalated rapidly, growing from 5 to 10 acres initially and reaching approximately 56 acres by late Monday night. The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed via X that while the fire’s “forward progress has been stopped,” it remains at 0% containment.
Firefighters from multiple departments are actively working to extinguish hotspots and improve containment efforts. Fortunately, the fire has been confined to the river bottom, and, as of now, no structures are in immediate danger. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Aerial support has been deployed, with four water-dropping aircraft, including a Chinook and a Sikorsky Sea King, assisting in firefighting efforts. Reports from CBS Los Angeles’ SkyCal helicopter indicate several spot fires emerging as embers are swept by the wind, emphasizing the ongoing challenges that firefighters face in controlling the fire.
With conditions being closely monitored, there is hope that containment efforts will be successful, and as firefighting resources remain dedicated to the scene, the local community can remain vigilant and prepared.