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.

In addition to the Maria Fire in Santa Paula, a vegetation fire known as the "Howe Fire" broke out in the Piru area of Ventura County near Torrey Road and

On Monday, a pair of vegetation fires broke out in Ventura County, requiring assistance from large firefighting crews.

As crews were getting the upper hand on a fire that broke out near the Santa Clara River bottom in Ventura County on Monday evening, another, bigger brush fire broke out, also along the river, near a community about 17 miles east.

The blaze was reported in the area of South Palm Avenue and East Santa Maria Street shortly after 3:20 p.m., according to initial reports.

Maps that more than double the local area included in fire hazard severity zones are expected to take effect in July for Ventura County property owners. The maps may mean some local homeowners ...

In addition to the Maria Fire in Santa Paula, a vegetation fire now known as the "Howe Fire" broke out in the Piru area of Ventura County near Torrey Road

The blaze was reported in the area of South Palm Avenue and East Santa Maria Street shortly after 3:20 p.m., according to initial reports.