Firefighters in Ventura County were fighting two brush fires Monday night.
The high fire, the larger fires blackened about 40 acres and burned steep terrain south of Piru, an uncompiled town around the Santa Clara River. The helicopter was already on the scene and fell on the flames.
The Ventura County Fire Department said air tankers and other helicopters were summoned to help, “140 firefighters are on the scene or on the way.”
The Howe fire was near Tory Canyon and East Gibleson Road south of the river at about 6:20 pm on Monday. County officials said mild winds were expected to emit smoke eastward.
About 16 miles southwest, firefighters also burned the Maria fire on Monday night along the riverbed south of Santa Paula.
The Maria Fire burned about 15 acres, about 140 firefighters were involved in the battle, and three helicopters and a bulldozer.
The fire was first reported at around 3:20 pm and was initially reported on 5 acres. Firefighters announced the fire at 7 p.m., but the crew said: “The cleanup operation will continue at night.”
