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.

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.

The Auto Fire in Ventura County is now 50% contained, having scorched 61 acres. Firefighters worked overnight to address small flare-ups and stubborn pockets of heat along the fire's perimeter. Despite these flare-ups,

First discovered: 6:50 p.m. Jan. 13 A new wildfire was reported today at 6:50 p.m. in Ventura County. Auto Fire has been burning on private land. At this time, details about the containment or cause of the fire are unknown.

#autoincident; #VCFD along with Ventura City Fire and Oxnard Fire Are on scene of a brush fire in the river bottom off North Ventura Blvd in Ventura. The fire is currently at 5 acres in medium fuels with a moderate rate of spread. Approximately 75 firefighters are on scene… pic.twitter.com/9Lj7GZzh1r

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.”

The fire was spotted along the Santa Clara River near Ventura Boulevard and Auto Center Drive in Ventura, Califo

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