BREAKING: Dangerous New Fire Growing Rapidly Near Ventura CA, Mandatory Evacuations Underway

With winds picking back up along the California coast, the prospect for additional fires has been a constant.

That threat was realized a short time ago as a new fire was reportedly growing in size rapidly, fueled by the wind as much as the failed policies of democrat leadership.

The newest fire dubbed the “Auto Fire” is said to be spreading very quickly, and overwhelming the already taxed resources in the area.

🇺🇸🔥 NOW AT VENTURA AUTO FIRE

The fire that was purported to be cause by another transient person is still going hard.

The winds have picked up quite a bit over the last few hours, pushing the fire along next to a gold course.

Fire helicopters are quickly dousing water. pic.twitter.com/c831AZfGuv

— Diligent Denizen 🇺🇸 (@DiligentDenizen) January 14, 2025

Rumors are swirling that the fire was started to a homeless person in a nearby encampment, but no official word has been released at this time.

In a since removed post, Nick Sortor noted that requests for air units to cover this new fire were being denied by Los Angeles because all their air assets are already engaged in fighting the Palisades Fire:

The new Auto Fire in Ventura, CA is spreading VERY quickly, overwhelming resources

Requests for additional air units from Los Angeles are being DENIED due to the need for them at the Palisades Fire

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This is getting worse as winds are picking up rapidly.

Check out this surreal aerial footage captured moments after the fire was reported.

It reportedly grew to more than 5 acres within the first 15 minutes because of the winds.

BREAKING 🚨 Mandatory evacuation orders have just been issued for residents near the Auto Fire between Ventura and Oxnard California

The fire is spreading rapidly with high winds

THIS IS NOT NORMAL pic.twitter.com/qACoVlUC5H

— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) January 14, 2025

This new fire is already causing additional mandatory evacuation orders in areas near the Santa Clara River where it started.

Although winds aren’t expected to be as bad as last week, areas could still see gusts up to 70 mph, according to reporting from Fox 11 out of Los Angeles:

The “Auto Fire” was first reported around 7:15 p.m. on January 13. The fire was spotted along the Santa Clara River near Ventura Boulevard and Auto Center Drive in Ventura, California. The fire is close to Buenaventura Golf Course and River Ridge Golf Club.

Evacuation Orders:

• Areas near the Santa Clara River along Ventura Road
• West to Victoria Avenue
• East to 101 Freeway in Ventura County along Auto Center Drive

While winds aren’t expected to be as bad as last week, which ended up contributing to the spread of the Palisades and Eaton fires, parts of the Southern California may see gusts up to 70 mph at some point this week.

As of Monday, January 13, officials did not say what caused the fire.

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Here’s another video from a short distance away as the fire initially caught the attention of responders.

The “Auto Fire” just started in Ventura County. In 15 minutes it grew to 5 acres w 20mph winds. pic.twitter.com/MKZDDXOEbL

— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) January 14, 2025

Although no cause has been given for this latest fire — and likely never will — the ineptitude at the city and state level that helped create the “perfect storm” for these conditions definitely hangs as heavy as the black smoke from the fires themselves.

This fire quickly grew from 5 to 10 acres in a matter of minutes, and is still growing at the time of this report with zero containment.

According to the most recent reports it has grown to an estimated 30-50 acres in a very short amount of time.

🚨 BREAKING: A new fire, dubbed the "Auto Fire," has erupted near a homeless encampment by the Santa Clara River in Ventura. The blaze has quickly grown to 5-10 acres, with strong winds pushing it toward the River Ridge Golf Course. pic.twitter.com/k9FFLe79zr

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 14, 2025

The California government website tracking the fires is showing the following map.

The tiny purple arrows indicate wind measurements, which are obviously increasing in the area around the fires.

Here’s a zoomed in image of the fire from the same California fire tracking site.

You can see the “Auto Fire” has begun leaving the area of the riverbed where it started, and is moving north towards a populated area.

According to current reporting, the fire has since grown to an estimated 30-50 acres but is apparently slowing.

Approximately 75 firefighters are on site battling this specific blaze, according to Newsweek:

Progress of the fire had been “significantly slowed” by 10:50 p.m. local time on Monday, Andrew Dowd, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, told the Ventura County Star.

Dowd estimated the fire had burned between 30 and 50 acres. No cause has been determined, he said.

The new fire came as strong winds threatened the progress made so far on huge fires in the Los Angeles area that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the past week.

About 75 firefighters were working to prevent the spread of the fire, the Ventura County Fire Department wrote on X shortly before 9 p.m. local time.

An evacuation order has been issued for the Santa Clara River between the 101 Freeway and Victoria Avenue, according to Ventura County’s emergency services website.

This is a developing story as the environmental conditions — both natural and manmade — continue to create conditions for additional fires.

We will bring you updates on the situation as more information becomes available.