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.

Crews have made significant progress against the Auto Fire that broke out in Ventura County earlier this week.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the Auto Fire was mapped at 61 acres and was 85% contained, according to Andrew Dowd, a firefighter and spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department. Previously, Cal Fire had listed a higher containment percentage,