Auto Fire initially started 9:25 p.m. Jan. 13 in Ventura County. It has burned 61 acres after being active for 44 hours. As of Wednesday evening, 85% of this wildfire was brought under containment. However, the cause is still under investigation.

Although the National Weather Service downgraded the severity of its forecast on Tuesday, forecasters expect higher wind gusts on Wednesday that could lead to “explosive fire growth.”

Firefighters say winds between 20 and 30 mph were blowing through the area as they attempted to quell the flames burning in the Santa Clara Riverbed.

A fire broke out in Ventura County on Monday near the Santa Clara River. The fire, named the Auto Fire, coincides with warnings about Santa Ana winds, which could lead to more fires in Southern California. VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - Crews have stopped forward progress on a fire that broke out in Ventura County on Monday.

A new fire erupted overnight amid dangerous red flag conditions across Southern California. The Auto Fire burned 56 acres in Ventura County before firefighters stopped its forward progress.

As of Wednesday morning, 50% of this wildfire was brought under containment. However, the cause is still under investigatio

The fire broke out in the riverbed area of a mandatory evacuation zone. Deputies reach out to the homeless in the area to inform them of the fire dangers.