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 that winds between 20 and 30 mph are blowing through the area as they attempt to quell the flames.

Jan. 15 A new wildfire was reported today at 1:20 p.m. in Ventura County. Liberty Fire has been burning on private land. At present, there is no available information on the containment or cause of the fire.

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.