Vehicle Fire Sparks Over 13-Acre Vegetation Blaze in Ventura County

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif., July 6 (KNN) — The Ventura County Fire Department along with support from other fire department resources, worked hard Friday evening and into the night to contain a brush fire that was ignited by a burning vehicle.

The brush fire, dubbed the “Rancho Fire”, erupted at approximately 5:45 p.m., as Ventura County Fire Department crews responded to a car fire that had already spread to the surrounding dry brush on the right hand side of the southbound 101 Freeway at Highway 23 in Thousand Oaks.

Ground and air resources swiftly mobilized to combat the blaze, successfully containing it to just under 14 acres. Ventura County Fire is managing the incident.

Just before 7 p.m. Friday, Ventura County FD announced on X that forward progress of the fire had been stopped. Water drops were continuing at the head of the fire and bulldozers were working to ring an outer perimeter as a contingency plan.

By 7:18 p.m., VCFD reported on X that hand crews and engine companies had established a containment line around the fire, connecting with the wide bulldozer lines.

Resources were starting to be released as firefighters were fully focused on mopping up and ensuring that every hotspot would be extinguished during the night.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN