Forward progress of Auto Fire in Ventura County stopped
Ventura County Fire Department said forward progress of the Auto Fire stopped just after midnight Tuesday as firefighters battled the brush fire that erupted in Ventura County hours earlier.
It was first reported at around 7:45 p.m. Monday in the Santa Clara River bottom near N. Ventura Boulevard and Auto Center Drive, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
The wildfire was fueled by gusts averaging between 20 and 30 miles per hour, as stronger winds threatened as early as Tuesday morning.
Cal Fire said it quickly grew from 5 to 10 acres, then to about 61 by Tuesday afternoon. As of 6:40 p.m., it is 47% contained, according to officials.
The post said firefighters from several departments "remain on scene mopping up hotspots and working to increase containment. The fire was confined to the river bottom and no structures were threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation."
From CBS Los Angeles' SkyCal helicopter, it appeared there were several spotfires popping up as embers were being pushed by the wind.
Four water-dropping aircraft aided in the firefight, including a Chinook and a Sikorsky Sea King.