Watch dramatic video of tourists driving past Ventura County brush fire

Dutch tourists captured a dramatic scene when they drove through the Solimar fire in Ventura County on Christmas night.

The fire that quickly grew to more than 1,200 acres was started by arcing power lines and is now about 70% contained, officials said Sunday.

Maaike Maks told CNN the family was headed to Santa Barbara when they encountered flames. "I was terrified and in a total shock," she said. "In the end, it only took a few seconds, but it felt like an hour."

Ventura County brush fire is 70% contained; the cause was arcing power lines

Strong winds fueled the Solimar fire north of Ventura overnight, flaring up a spot fire late Saturday that was pushing toward Highway 101 before firefighters aggressively knocked it down, said Capt. Mike Lindbery of the Ventura County Fire Department. A second flare-up occurred inside the burn area but did not pose a threat to the fire line. More than 420 firefighters were still fighting the blaze Sunday morning, assisted by one water-dropping helicopter.

A wind advisory will remain in effect for parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties through noon Sunday, said Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service.

Times Staff Writer Rosanna Xia contributed to this report