Crews work to extinguish vegetation fire in Santa Paula riverbed

Fire crews battled a small vegetation fire that broke out in a Santa Paul riverbed Friday afternoon.

At around 2:00 p.m., Santa Paula Fire Department received a report of smoke coming from a river bottom near Santa Maria Street.

Witnesses on scene reported large flames and smoke visible from the riverbed.

Santa Paula Fire Department reported the working fire and a full brush fire response began with crews from from Santa Paula Fire Department, Ventura City Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and Cal Fire Ventura.

A Ventura County helicopter and a Los Angeles County helicopter also responded to the scene.

At around 4:00 p.m., the fire was contained after it burned approximately 1.5 acres.

Some fire crews remained on scene mopping up for a few hours after the fire was extinguished.

Ventura County Fire says there are very high winds in the Santa Clara valley and although the grass is still green it is quickly beginning to dry out and turn brown.

The type of vegetation found in river bottoms present unique challenges for firefighters and makes fire fighting extremely difficult.