Authorities are investigating another wildfire-related death that occurred as crews battled massive blazes across Southern California.

On Friday, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said a man’s body was found in the bottom of the Santa Clara River near Ventura, in an area burned by a 28-acre fire.

The Olivas Fire broke out Wednesday morning in the 3700 block of Olivas Park Drive, burning in a riverbed frequented by homeless people, officials said.

When the fire broke out, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Liaison Unit was already in the area making contact with people in the riverbed and then began urging people in the riverbed to flee to safety.

The Olivas Fire, burning in a riverbed off Olivas Park Drive in Ventura, is seen on aerial video captured by the Ventura County Fire Department on January 8, 2025.

The fast-spreading fire quickly engulfed over 28 hectares, burning the riverbed and adjacent vegetation before it was contained hours later.

While emergency services were working to extinguish remaining embers, a man’s body was discovered in the burn scar. According to investigators, the man appeared to be trapped while trying to escape the fire.

The man’s name and age have not yet been released.

His death and the cause of the fire are being investigated by senior detectives who are “working closely with fire officials”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact VCSO Detective Rico Rinaldi at 805 384-4732.

The man’s death is the latest fire-related fatality in Southern California. At least 11 people have died in connection with the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Find the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos at KTLA.