‘Apache Fire’ in Ventura County prompts evacuations

A wildfire in Ventura County that has burned some 250 acres that was threatening structures prompted evacuation, authorities announced Tuesday evening.

Officials with the Ventura County Fire Department first reported the “Apache Fire” in Los Padres National Forest around 8:30 p.m.

The blaze, which was about 30-40 acres then, was burning about a half mile east of Highway 33 on Apache Canyon Road where no structures were threatened.

Just an hour later, crews with the United States Forest Service reported the wildfire had grown to an estimated 200 acres.

“The structures in Apache Canyon are threatened,” VCFD said in a post to X , formerly Twitter. “Apache Canyon is under evacuation warnings.”

In an update at 10:30 p.m., VCFD officials confirmed the fire had grown to 250 acres and said “Apache Canyon has been evacuated.”

Firefighters in Ventura County were assisting USFS, which is the lead agency, with a helicopter, three fire engines, a water tender and two hand crews, officials added.

USFS said that four large air tankers and one very large air tanker were ordered to help fight the blaze.

Crews were expected to work through the night in an attempt to contain the blaze to Apache Canyon, authorities added.

So far, no injuries have been reported. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.

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