SANTA PAULA, Calif. (KABC) -- A massive brush fire broke out near Santa Paula Thursday evening, prompting evacuations in the area.

The fire, dubbed the Maria Fire, was reported around 6:30 p.m. on top of South Mountain in Ventura County, an area surrounded by cellphone transmission towers. It burned 150 acres by 7 p.m. fueled with winds up to 35 miles per hour, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

Precautionary evacuations were underway near Balcom Canyon and 12th Street, fire officials said.

#MariaFire At 6:14PM @VCFD responded to a confirmed brush fire on South Mtn in Santa Paula. Unk acreage. Precautionary evacuation near Balcom Cyn & 12th street. Firefighters are working to keep the fire within the following box:
S of 126 fwy
N of LA Ave
E of Vineyard
W of Balcom pic.twitter.com/cw4HnWHC3G

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 1, 2019

DEVELOPING: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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