Firefighters in Ventura County were battling two brush fires Monday night. The Howe fire, the larger blaze, had blackened about 40 acres and was burning in steep terrain south of the unincorporated town of Piru in the area around the Santa Clara River.

#MariaFire – A brush fire is burning in the Santa Clara River bottom, south of the City of Santa Paula, being driven east by onshore winds. Over 130 firefighters are on scene, supported by two helicopters, with a third mutual aid helicopter requested. Crews are actively engaged… pic.twitter.com/Ie2VhctjFG

A new wildfire was reported today at 3:21 p.m. in Ventura County. Maria Fire has been burning on private land. At present, there is no available information on the containment or cause of the fire.