by A brush fire, known as the “Auto Fire,” broke out in Ventura County on Monday evening. The blaze was first reported at around 7:15 PM near Ventura Boulevard and Auto Center Drive, near the Buenaventura Golf Course and River Ridge Golf Club.
Strong winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour were fueling the fire, which had spread to around 10 acres by 8:30. Earlier this week, the National Weather Service issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag warning for Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, citing the possibility of another Santa Ana wind event occurring in the region between Monday and Wednesday.
Strong Winds Fuel Fire Spread
Strong Santa Ana winds, which can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, are fuelling the fire’s spread and complicating containment efforts. These winds are notorious for exacerbating wildfires in Southern California. About 75 firefighters from the Ventura County and Oxnard Fire departments attended the 5-acre auto fire. Officials posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the fire was caused by “medium fuels with a moderate rate of spread.”
Response Efforts in Ventura County
Emergency services in Ventura County are actively coordinating response efforts. The Ventura County Fire Department, along with local agencies, is deploying additional resources to combat the fire. Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels for the latest information on evacuation orders and fire progression.
Community Impact
While no structures are currently threatened, residents are urged to prepare for potential power outages and have emergency kits ready. The unpredictable nature of the situation necessitates vigilance and readiness for any developments.
As of 9:30 p.m., county officials said Victoria Avenue was closed between Gonzales Road and Olivas Park Drive. They advised drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes.
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