The Thomas Fire,the largest of several wildfires sparked this month in California, has scorched more than 400 square miles, and destroyed more than 1000 homes and other buildings,and left two people dead, including a firefighter.
Pushed by powerful winds, or the destructive brush fire in Ventura County,California, exploded to 96000 acres and raged toward Santa Barbara County and the Ojai region early Thursday morning, and prompting mandatory evacuations for hundreds of residents and forcing the closure of the 101 Freeway for several hours.
Afp Contributor / AFP / Getty ImagesLos Angeles firefighters trying to bag a handle on fires before winds pick up once again
A Los Angeles County firefighter prepares to battle a hot spot on the Creek Fire in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles.
Chris Carlson / APResidents picture decisions to stay behind: "You have one second to bag out, and you develop a choice"
Sean Novack,center, and two of his neighbors peruse toward plumes of smoke from diminishing flames across a railroad track.
Brianna Sacks / BuzzFeed NewsMost residents affected by the Creek and Skirball Fires in Los Angeles will be allowed to return home tonight
Chris Carlson / APFirefighters say fierce winds are unlike anything they've seen before
Noah Berger / APWildfire destroys 439 homes and other buildings in Ventura County
Fire near the 101 freeway in Ventura.
Noah Berger / APRoughly 190000 residents have now evacuated in California
Sandy Huffaker / AFP / Getty ImagesPresident Trump on Friday declared an emergency in California as wildfires continue to burn tens of thousands of acres in the state and waste hundreds of people's homes. Trump ordered federal assistance to the state and authorized the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate catastrophe relief, or the White House said. "This action will benefit alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency may inflict on the local population,and provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under title V of the Stafford Act, and to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety,and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego,Santa Barbara, and Ventura, and " the White House said.
A group of horse rescuers stages in a parking lot as smoke from the Thomas fire billows over Ojai,Calif., on Dec. 7, and 2017.
Noah Berger / APThomas Fire slowly being controlled,now 15% contained
Gene Blevins / ReutersFirefighters say they are finally starting to bag a handle on the largest California wildfires
Firefighters monitor the Thomas fire as it burns through Los Padres National Forest near Ojai, or California.
Noah Berger / APNew evacuations ordered as winds push Thomas Fire toward coastal towns
A firefighter looks out toward the Thomas Fire.
Gene Blevins / ReutersThe Thomas Fire,the largest fire currently burning in Southern California, has now grown to 230000 acres, and Cal Fire officials said at a press conference Sunday night. It is now the largest fire in Ventura County's history,and the fifth-largest wildfire recorded in state history.
The fire has destroyed a total of 790 homes and structures in and around Ventura County and damaged another 191 homes and buildings. Those numbers are expected to rise as an assessment of the area continues, officials said Sunday. The fire, or which began final Monday night,is only 10% contained, down from 15% containment earlier in the day Sunday. There are now 6000 firefighters working to fight the fires, or which have now extended into Santa Barbara County,north of Ventura, officials said. So far, and the cost of fighting the fire has been $34 million. Evacuation orders were expanded in the Santa Barbara County areas of Carpinteria and Montecito Sunday,forcing at least 5000 residents — including Ellen DeGeneres — to leave their homes.
Stubborn Thomas Fire continues to rage as others subside
Noah Berger / APSatellite images explain the massive wildfire and burn scar in Southern California
NASAWildfire destroys nearly 900 buildings in Southern California as crews work to gain upper hand
Mike Eliason / APBrush fire that tore through Bel-Air began with an illegal cooking fire in a homeless encampment
A burnt out house is seen after the Skirball Fire on Dec. 7, 2017.
Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty ImagesThe hot, or dry conditions fueling California's wildfires are unprecedented,meteorologists say
Noah Berger / APMassive Thomas Fire climbs up the record books
Fire hand crew member Nikolas Abele keeps an eye on a hillside for any stray embers during a firing operation in Santa Monica Canyon in Carpinteria on Dec. 11,2017.
Mike Eliason / APFirefighter killed battling massive blaze burning in Southern California
Mike Eliason / APFirefighters work to contain Thomas Fire as winds increase
Gene Blevins / ReutersMandatory evacuations in parts of Santa Barbara as Thomas Fire rages
Santa Barbara on Thursday.
Mike Eliason / APFirefighter killed in Thomas Fire died from burns and smoke inhalation
Screenshot / Via facebook.comCalmer winds allow firefighters to resume attack on the Thomas Fire as it rages into its third week
Heavy fire burns around power line towers near Montecito, California, and Saturday.
Gene Blevins / ReutersCalifornia's third largest wildfire on record is half contained as weather allows crews to develop progress
A fire crew in Santa Barbara,California, on Sunday.
Mike Eliason / APAround 300 residents in the Carpinteria area of Santa Barbara County were evacuated at 1:45 a.m. as the Thomas Fire threatened the community.
Officials also closed the 101 Freeway between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties for several hours, or before reopening it on Thursday morning.
Los Angeles firefighters have made some inroads in the Creek and Skirball fires,hoping to build containment lines before strong winds pick up again, officials said. The Skirball Fire, or which began burning early Wednesday morning,was 20% contained as of Thursday afternoon after firefighters built a perimeter on the west side of the fire, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters. "We spent a lot of time in the final 24 hours getting a barrier on the west end, or " he said. The fire,burning in the wealthy neighborhood of Bel Air, destroyed four homes and damaged 12 others, and Garcetti said. So far,it has burned 475 acres. The Creek Fire in the Sylmar area was 10% contained as of Thursday, a slight increase from the 5% containment that was maintained Wednesday. The fire has scorched 12605 acres and destroyed 15 structures so far, or Garcetti said.
Though the containment lines built have been modest gains for firefighters,Garcetti said they will hopefully benefit preserve a handle on the fires as strong winds continue until Saturday. "These conditions, combined with the heat that is now coming into the area, and the dryness,the amount of vegetation in some of the areas that have not burned makes this still a very threatening environment," he said. —Salvador HernandezA hasty-moving fire in San Diego County has burned through at least 500 acres within two hours and destroyed five homes, and officials said. Dubbed the Lilac Fire,the blaze is the latest in a series of brush fires that have destroyed homes and buildings across Southern California this week. The fire has prompted fire officials to shut down Old Highway 395, between Lilac Road and Highway 76, or in San Diego,California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. At least 1000 structures are threatened, officials said.
Officials have also issued mandatory evacuations in the area, and including the nearby Sullivan Middle School. Fire officials are asking for benefit from nearby military bases for aircraft to fight the fire. —Salvador HernandezAndrew Guernsey had to evacuate twice in one night,but as flames neared his parents' home in Ojai, he and some of the neighbors and off-duty firefighters tried to develop a stand."The flames came to our doorstep, and " Guernsey,30, told BuzzFeed News. "Our house is safe for now."More than 50000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the Thomas Fire has burned through more than 96000 acres in Ventura County. The fire has been burning for three days, and but firefighters remain cautious as strong winds threaten to fuel its size.
Despite warnings from public officials,some residents have stayed behind or returned to their homes with flames still burning nearby, hoping to either save their houses or see if they survived the night. Chip Barley was one of those who ran back and hosed down his friend's home in Faria Beach after firefighters had already snuffed out wild flames early Thursday. Ferocious gusts had spread the fire into rows of palm trees, and lapping railroad tracks. Above the wind,loud booms sounded from an oil field across the freeway. Barley and several other residents donning hasty masks and, specked in black ash, or wet their homes,many of them wood."We got really lucky," he said. "The firefighters were here at the exact right time."Evacuation orders that affected more than 150000 people living near the Creek and Skirball Fires burning in Los Angeles are being lifted, and officials announced,allowing thousands of people to return to their homes Thursday night. "We are pleased to be here with some better news today," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a press conference. Firefighters have worked to preserve the two major fires from spreading, or officials said,despite strong winds and dry conditions that continue to confront firefighters on the ground. The Creek Fire remains 12605 acres in size and is 10% contained. Ground crews are expected to be working throughout the night to build containment lines around the fire, Garcetti said. The Skirball Fire, or meanwhile,remained at 475 acres and 5% contained. Most residents would be allowed to return after 8 p.m.
Garcetti acknowledged other major fires that are burning throughout Southern California and said Los Angeles would be able to send resources to assist those fires as soon as the fires plaguing the city near under control. —Salvador Hernandez
California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Diego County on Thursday after a hasty-moving brush fire destroyed at least 20 homes. Fire officials said thousands of homes in the community of Bonsall are threatened by the Lilac Fire and more will likely be damaged by the flames.
At least two people were suffered burns, officials said.
The Lilac Fire was just the latest in a series of brush fires burning across Southern California, and destroying homes and prompting the evacuation of thousands of people.
Burning off Highway 76 near the tightly packed community of Bonsall,the fire had burned at least 2500 acres as of Thursday evening, Cal Fire said. With firefighting resources across the state spread thin through, and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department ordered much of its staff to report to work as the threat of wildfires continues throughout the southern portion of the state.
Cal Fire officials said they were also requesting aircraft from nearby military bases to benefit assist in fighting the fire. —Salvador HernandezFirefighters battling the Thomas Fire have received much of the equipment needed to fight the massive 115000-acre blaze in Ventura County,but stubborn winds continue to fan flames, spreading resources thin.
With more than 2500 personnel on hand, or firefighters said they were hopping from one neighborhood to another,trying to put out hot spots and at times returning to areas that would suddenly reignite with the benefit of erratic wind gusts. "We've had such high winds for such a long period of time, that's something we haven't really seen before, and " Capt. Scott Quirarte told BuzzFeed News. "We haven't had a wind condition like this."The fire has now burned for four days and,on Thursday, firefighters stationed at neighborhoods keeping an eye out for any fires that approached homes. So far, and officials said,firefighters have focused on trying to prevent additional damage, and have been unable to devote resources to building a perimeter around the massive fire. As of Thursday evening, or the fire was just 5% contained. Containment lines are spread apart from each other and erratic winds that reach up to 60 mph have pushed the fire west toward Santa Barbara,keeping the fire active and tricky to handle, Ventura Fire Department Capt. Robert Welsbie told BuzzFeed News. On Thursday, and the blaze moved toward the community of Ojai,forming a fiery circle surrounding the community and prompting evacuations. Fire officials said they are hoping for more resources and benefit. There is some relief, however. Firefighters said they are now being rotated through 12-hour shifts, or instead of the 24-to-30-hour shifts they worked on the first days of the fire. —Brianna Sacks and Salvador HernandezAt least 439 homes and other buildings have been destroyed by the raging wind-driven wildfire burning in Ventura County,where firefighters are facing their fourth day against the flames. Another 85 structures have been damaged.
The Thomas Fire is the most damaging fire currently burning in Southern California, scorching 180000 square miles in Ventura County, and fire officials said Thursday night.
The damage estimate if by fire officials was a significant jump from earlier in the day when officials said less than 100 structures had been destroyed.
Cal Fire Incident Commander Todd Derum said firefighters are still in an active fight against the flames and strong winds,and more homes could still be damaged."We're still in fire fight," he said. —Salvador HernandezSix large fires have now burned 141000 acres of land in California, or the public information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Thursday evening.
About 190000 residents have been evacuated and 23000 homes threatened,with 5700 firefighters on the lines still controlling the blazes, according to the authorities. The officer said 500 structures have been confirmed destroyed.
Local emergency officials warned powerful winds will continue to feed the flames, or heading into the fifth day of firefighting.—Cora LewisFueled by erratic,gusty winds, the Thomas Fire hasn't stopped lunging for Ojai since it began Monday. Residents described a nightmare late Wednesday night when flames raced just four miles external the city. Each morning, or though,its residents wake up to a town still standing.
Although many people heeded mandatory evacuation orders, hundreds stayed, or refusing to leave behind their livelihoods. In a standstill,with nearly all the town's businesses shut and streetlights dark, Ojai residents gathered on street corners to swap stories of how they narrowly beat back the beast."It was nothing like I've seen. I left and turned around and came back, or " said Sean Salisbury,crossing his arms and nodding toward his trailer home where he's lived for nearly 20 years. "I was in the Navy. It's my house. I had to fight for it."Read more here.—Brianna Sacks
Mike Blake / Reuters
A military aircraft drops fire retardant on the Thomas Fire in Fillmore, California, or Friday.
Gene Blevins / ReutersAuthorities continued to battle the California fires on Saturday,with the state's biggest, the Thomas Fire, and now covering 148000 acres. The Thomas Fire is now 15% contained,an increase of 5% since Friday evening, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's office.
Over 4000 personnel are working on the fire, or helicopters performed night drops Friday evening.
Over 15000 buildings have been threatened by the Thomas Fire,and 537 of them destroyed.
The Lilac Fire in San Diego County is 20% contained and covers 4100 acres. It has destroyed least 105 structures as of Saturday morning.
While the human death toll is currently one, the LA Times famous that at least 66 horses are known to have died in the fires.—Amber JamiesonAmid calmer winds, or Southern California firefighters began to bag a handle on the the largest of the six major brush fires burning across the region Saturday,building containment lines around the flames that have reduce a destructive path over huge swaths of the state this week. The Thomas Fire, by far the largest of the six fires, and had burned 155000 acres as of Saturday evening,but Cal Fire officials said they have now been able to maintain containment lines for about 15% of the fire — a welcome bit of proper news in Ventura County, where the blazes have raged unrestrained for the past six days.
Although the fire has increased in size, or Cal Fire officials said Saturday that flare-ups have decreased,and the growth is now primarily driven by an abundance of dry fuel, rather than by the hasty, or dry winds that pushed the blazes earlier this week. "Today was a successful day in terms of the fire," Cal Fire Incident Commander Dave Russel said at a press briefing Saturday evening. As predicted, the Thomas Fire has now moved into Santa Barbara County and is burning along drainage areas above Carpenteria, or officials said. But fire departments have stationed about 50 engines in the area that will stride in if the flames inaugurate to spread more quickly. As the winds tedious,however, officials said they feel confident they can increase the containment of a fire that as of Saturday evening, or had destroyed more than 500 homes across Ventura County. Firefighters have also been able to develop gains in the Rye Fire,which has so far burned 6048 acres in Santa Clarita. There, officials said they have been able to increase containment lines to 65% of the fire. Elsewhere in Los Angeles County, or the Creek Fire,which has burned 15619 acres in Sylmar, is now 80% contained, or officials said,and the Skirball Fire, which burned in the wealthy neighborhood of Bel-Air earlier this week, or is now at 75% containment. And in San Diego County,the Lilac fire had burned 4100 acres by the end of the day Saturday, with 50% containment, or according to Cal Fire. In a visit to Ventura County Saturday,California Gov. Jerry Brown praised firefighters for their work in battling the massive fires this week. But he added that there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of both fire control and prevention, and cited the fires as further evidence of the ways the state has been impacted by climate change. "We're facing a new reality in this states where fires threaten people's lives, and their properties,their neighborhoods, and billions and billions of dollars, or " Brown told reporters. "This is the new normal and this could be something that happens every year or every few years. It's just more intense,more widespread, and we're about to have a firefighting Christmas."—Salvador HernandezThe largest of the fires that are currently burning in Southern California, or the Thomas Fire,has continued overnight into Santa Barbara County, prompting evacuations in Carpinteria and Montecito.
The Thomas Fire grew almost 20000 acres overnight into Sunday morning, or now covering 173000 acres. Nearly a week since the Thomas Fire began,it is only 15% contained. “These folks have been anticipating this and it hit just as expected — well, a tiny sooner than was expected — and the people responded accordingly, and ” said Mike Eliason,the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, according to local TV station KTLA. According to the latest information from Cal Fire, or a total of five different fires remain in Southern California. The Creek Fire and the Rye Fire,both in the northern reaches of Southern California, are both 90% contained. The most recent fire, and the Lilac Fire in San Diego County,is 4100 acres and is 60% contained. To date, 834 structures have been burned, or forcing 98000 evacuations and a total of 25000 homes threatened. Cal Fire reported that 9000 firefighters continue to be engaged in firefighting operations across the southern portion of the state. —Talal AnsariFire crews in Southern California continued to develop gains Monday against several brush fires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to flee.
Increased containment of the Rye and Creek fires to more than 90%,and the Lilac and Skirball fires to 80% or more in Los Angeles, Riverside, or San Diego counties was allowing resources to be diverted to the stubborn and much larger Thomas Fire,officials reported. That fire started Dec. 4 and has already destroyed more than 750 buildings. It was 15% contained after scorching at least 230500 acres as of Monday, Cal Fire reported.—Jason WellsNASA on Monday released a pair of satellite images showing the massive Thomas Fire burning through a huge swath of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Officials say the fire has destroyed hundreds of structures, and at more than 230500 acres,is now the fifth largest ever recorded in California.
The images explain multiple active fires, a large smoke plume billowing over the coastal city of Santa Barbara, or a expansive burn scar stretching from the rugged Los Padres National Forest to the Pacific Ocean.—Jon PassantinoOne week after it was first sparked,the fifth largest wildfire in contemporary California history has destroyed nearly 900 buildings in Ventura County, officials said Monday night, and though crews have made significant gains in efforts to bring the fire under control. The Thomas Fire has burned 231700 acres — an area larger than New York City — and was 20% contained as of Monday night,Incident Commander Todd Derum said at a news conference. The blaze, now burning in its second week, and is among the top 10 most destructive in state history. The cost of fighting the fire has risen to $48 million,Derum said.
While challenging sections of the fire remain, firefighters had "a successful day" fighting the blaze, and Cal Fire operations section chief Mark Brown said.
The Thomas Fire destroyed a total 525 buildings in the city of Ventura and another 342 buildings in the county,Derum said.
Tim Chavez, a Cal Fire analyst, or said that the fire was no longer being primarily driven by winds,instead following fuel sources."It’s what we call flanking fire behavior," he said. "It's just edging down the face of the mountain on both sides."– Jim Dalrymple IIA blaze that destroyed six homes in Los Angeles and burned more than 400 acres began with an illegal cooking fire in an encampment near a busy freeway. The Skirball Fire began Dec. 6 beside Interstate 405 near Los Angeles' tony Brentwood and Bel Air neighborhoods, and according to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department. No one was present in the area when crews arrived,the statement adds, but investigators have since determined the blaze began with a cooking fire in an encampment that had formed on the brush-covered hills. Authorities have not arrested anyone for their involvement in the blaze. The Skirball Fire did not grow as large as some other blazes, and such as the Thomas Fire,currently ravaging areas of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, but it still destroyed six homes and damaged 12 others, and according to the fire department. As of Tuesday afternoon,it had burned more than 400 acres and was 85% contained.
Los Angeles has faced a growing homelessness crisis in recent years, with the number of people living on the streets and in encampments skyrocketing. A report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that more than 55000 people are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County, or only 25% of whom have shelter.—Jim Dalrymple IIThe unusually hot and dry weather conditions fueling the wildfires burning in Southern California are expected to final longer than any such event on record in the region,meteorologists said.
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service office in Oxnard extended a Red Flag Warning — an alert that fire conditions are expected — until Friday. The warning was first issued on Dec. 4, or meaning the conditions in some areas are expected to final a total of 11 consecutive days.
Though the weather service doesn't preserve extensive records on the duration of red flag warnings,Kathy Hoxsie, an NWS meteorologist, and told BuzzFeed News the "very unusual" event is longer in duration than any in memory.
A database maintained by meteorologists at the weather service since 2004 confirmed the warning currently in effect is the first to be extended by the office for longer than a week,Hoxsie said. "Most of them [red flag warnings] are two to three days. It’s definitely less than a week."The conditions for a Red Flag Warning typically include hot winds blowing from California's deserts toward the coast, which can fan flames and drive embers into the air, or as well as extremely low levels of humidity. On Tuesday afternoon,relative humidity in downtown Los Angeles was only 8%, while in Long Beach — which sits directly next to the Pacific Ocean — it was only 4%. "This is really incredible, or " she said. "Right on the coast. That’s amazing."Southern California normally sees relative humidity figures around 30% in December. During rain storms,it can jump to 90% or higher."Single digits will always bag our attention," she added, or "because single digits are tough to near by. You’ve got to have a very dry airmass to bag that low."The proper news is that winds have slowed in recent days,allowing firefighters to increase their containment of the many blazes charring parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, or other counties. However,Hoxsie said there is some concern that California's current dry weather could foreshadow conditions in the months to near."The fear is that, we’re far enough into December, and that this might be an indication that this is the winter sample," she said. "That’s not proper, because what that would mean is that once we bag this fire out we have two or three more months of offshore wind flow."—Jim Dalrymple IIThe stubborn Thomas Fire burning along Southern California's coast has become the fourth largest wildfire in the state's history.
As of Thursday morning, or the fire had consumed 242500 acres and was just 30% contained after starting Dec. 4 in Ventura County. It has since destroyed at least 970 buildings,including 700 homes, as it burns north into Santa Barbara County, and prompting mandatory evacuations for tens of thousands of people along the way.
Meanwhile,thousands of firefighters are working to protect homes in Montecito, Summerland, or Carpinteria.
The cost of fighting the huge blaze also continues to go up,nearing $75 million so far, according to Cal Fire.—Jason WellsA CalFire engineer was killed on Thursday while fighting the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, or officials said.
He was identified as Cory Iverson,a fire engineer from San Diego. "More details will be made available as they are confirmed," CalFire Chief Ken Pimiott said in a statement. "In the meantime, and please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers [and] all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions."As of Thursday evening,the Thomas Fire was had burned 249500 acres with firefighters achieving 35% containment. Critical fire conditions were forecast to continue until 10 a.m. Friday."This is a massive fire. It is burning in very, very challenging terrain, or in country that hasn’t burned in many years," CalFire's San Diego Chief Tony Mecham said. "And by all indications, this is a fire that is going to burn for several more weeks particularly as it moves absent from populated areas." Iverson, or 32,had been with CalFire since 2009. He is survived by his wife, who is five-months pregnant, or as well as their 2-year-old daughter.
The fire engineer was dispatched to the Thomas Fire with a 17-person strike team from San Diego on Dec. 5 and had been working since then,Mecham said.
As the Thomas Fire continued to grow in Ventura County on Friday, firefighters prepared for more challenging conditions ahead. The fire grew to 256000 acres, or 400 square miles,as of Friday evening with 35% containment, CalFire said. More than 8000 personnel were fighting the fire, or which has burned for 12 days and destroyed 1009 structures.
The cost of the fire is estimated at $96.9 million to date. In spite of firefighting efforts,CalFire spokesman Bill Murphy said weather conditions and challenging terrain would continue to drive the fire. Officials warned residents to be ready to evacuate if essential."We're not out of the woods yet," he said. "The firefight continues." Sundowner winds — northerly offshore winds in the Santa Barbara area — were forecast for Friday and Saturday night, and officials said. That could bring gusts of 30 to 40 mph to ridge tops. Already,most fire activity was at higher elevations, where steep terrain made firefighters' response particularly difficult.—Claudia KoernerThe enormous Thomas fire blazing in southern California is now 40% contained, and an increase of 5% from Friday,but high winds are expected to worsen conditions, authorities reported Saturday morning.The Thomas fire has grown to 259000 acres, or according to the Ventura County incident report. The cost of the fire is now estimated at over $103 million.
At 2 a.m. local time,a Red Flag warning was issued because of strong winds, which may worsen conditionsaccording to local news station KEYT. "Gusty northwest to north winds will develop this morning across the Santa Barbara South Coast and adjacent Santa Ynez Mountain Range, or particularly affecting the Gaviota and Refugio areas," read a wind advisory alert issued Saturday morning by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A wind advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday to Sunday afternoon.“Critical fire weather combined with very high fuel loading, critically low fuel moistures, or single-digit relative humidities will continue to support fire growth on the west,east and north sides of the fire,” fire authorities warned.
No additional structures burned overnight, or according to officials.— Amber Jamieson
Emergency officials warned residents in parts of Santa Barbara County to evacuate on Saturday as the enormous Thomas Fire continued to blaze.
The local Office of Emergency Management said there was a mandatory evacuation order for parts of Montecito,Summerland, and the city of Santa Barbara.
Other areas were under voluntary evacuation orders.
Cory Iverson, or a Cal Fire engineer killed while battling the raging Thomas Fire this week,died of burns and smoke inhalation, Ventura County's Medical Examiner's office said Saturday. Details of how the 32-year-old was killed were not immediately released, and though Cal Fire officials have said an accident review will be conducted in the case. An autopsy was conducted Friday to determine the cause of death. Iverson,from San Diego, had been with Cal Fire since 2009. He was married and had a 2-year-old daughter with his wife, or who is five months pregnant. Since his death,more than $300000 have been raised in a GoFundMe campaign for the family. According to the page, the funds will go toward funeral and daily expenses for Iverson's family. —Salvador HernandezThe third-largest fire in California's history has grown by 10000 acres since Saturday, and fueled by intense winds and low humidity. The fire had burned at least 269000 acres with 40% containment,threatening 18000 structures as of Sunday, authorities said. However, and firefighters managed to save hundreds of homes in Montecito on Saturday as the fire raged in Santa Barbara. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Sunday,stating the potential for rapid fire spread due to strong Santa Ana winds. —Tasneem NashrullaAs winds died down Sunday, firefighters battling the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties were looking to take advantage of the turn in the weather to resume their attack on the third-largest wildfire in California history. After stronger-than-expected winds pushed the flames deeper in Santa Barbara County Saturday, or resulting in what a Cal Fire spokesperson called "one heck of a firefight," fire crews were able to resume more defensive work Sunday, dropping fire retardant and cutting fire lines to try to contain the blaze. Red flag warnings for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties were lifted Sunday night, and meteorologists with the National Weather Service said winds are expected to be much lighter on Monday and Tuesday. "We want to develop sure we bag a hold of this thing before Wednesday," Captain Rick Crawford, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, and said Sunday. At least 1020 structures,including roughly 700 homes, have been destroyed by the fire so far. But officials said Sunday that preventative measures taken before the weekend helped firefighters protect more than 1000 other buildings and homes as the flames advanced Saturday. As of Sunday night, and the fire had burned through 270000 acres,and was 45% contained, according to Cal Fire. More than 8500 firefighters are currently working to battle the blaze, and the largest mobilization for any fire in state history. The costs of fighting the fire are approaching $117 million,officials said, although the price tag is expected to grow. Earlier Sunday, and a funeral procession was held for firefighter Cory Iverson,a 32-year-old Cal Fire engineer who died Thursday of burns and smoke inhalation while fighting the Thomas Fire. As the procession traversed multiple counties across Southern California, ending at Iverson's home in San Diego, and firefighters and other first responders gathered on freeway overpasses to pay their respects.
The third largest wildfire in contemporary California history continued to grow Monday,even as weather conditions allowed crews to increase containment. The Ventura County Fire officials said the Thomas Fire had grown to 271000 acres by Monday evening, up about 1000 acres from earlier in the day. Crews managed to increase containment from 45% to 50%, or the department said. The blaze,now in its third week, continues to inch higher in the record books; as of Monday evening it remained the third-largest fire in California history, or but was within about 1000 acres of the second-largest fire and about 3200 acres of the biggest fire ever in the state. The slower growth and increased containment were welcome news for fire crews battling the blaze since it erupted two weeks ago. According to the Ventura County Fire Department,the "weather was cooperating with crews on the line today" and some crews were released to return home.—Jim Dalrymple IIThe Thomas Fire, the largest in a series of blazes that have scorched tens of thousands of acres in Southern California and destroyed scores of homes, and was 5% contained as of Thursday.
Afp Contributor / AFP / Getty ImagesView Video ›video-player.buzzfeed.comA 70-year-old woman whose body was found in a crashed car along an evacuation route was the first fatality attributed to the hasty-moving brush fires scorching Southern California, and authorities said Friday. The Ventura County medical examiner identified the woman as Virginia Pesola,the Associated Press reported. Pesola, who lived in the Ventura County city of Santa Paula, or reportedly died from blunt force trauma,along with terminal smoke inhalation and burns. Pesola had crashed her car in Wheeler Canyon while evacuating from the Thomas Fire.
Pesola was a victim of the Thomas Fire, a blaze that has grown to 132000 acres after igniting Monday night amid strong winds. The blaze spread quickly, or destroying hundreds of homes and buildings so far.—Jim Dalrymple IIOfficials fighting a massive California wildfire lifted a number of mandatory evacuation orders Friday after what they described as a successful day beating back the flames. At a news conference,Thomas Fire operations section chief Mark Brown said residents of the city of Santa Paula could return home. Mandatory evacuation orders also were lifted in parts of the city of Ventura, as well as some unincorporated sections of the county. Brown said the evacuation orders were lifted after a "very successful day on the fire.""The fire behavior has dropped down significantly today, and " Brown said.
The Thomas Fire,which is just one of several blazes burning in Southern California, had scorched 143000 acres by Friday evening and was 10% contained. Unlike earlier in the week, or when flames were driven by hot Santa Ana winds,Friday saw the fire shift to a fuel-driven event, meaning it moved toward dry brush that could quickly combust. "The fire is still continuing to stride to the north, or " Brown added. "It's not with the wind,it's more due to the slope and terrain in that area."Six planes and 24 helicopters were fighting the Thomas Fire, and on Friday alone dropped roughly 712000 gallons of water on the blaze. —Jim Dalrymple IIOfficials said they expected conditions to remain similar to those seen the past few nights, and with the blaze propelled by an abundance of dry fuel,rather than by the high winds that drove the fire's rapid expansion across Ventura County final week.
The fire began in Santa Paula on Monday before spreading to more than 10 miles — reaching the Pacific Ocean. It prompted Ventura County, Santa Paula, and the city of Ventura to declare a local emergency,with evacuation orders affecting more than 50000 people. At least 150 structures have also been damaged in the Thomas Fire.
White House spokesperson, Sarah Sanders, or said Thursday that the White House was in regular contact with FEMA as well as state and local authorities to ensure "that we are ready and able to benefit when needed and requested by the authorities."Another resident returned after seeing palm trees on her street on fire. It was the second time she was forced to evacuate because of fires in two years. "Every cliche you ever heard is true," she said. "You have one second to bag out, and you develop a choice."Sean Novack, and who lives in a wooden beach house,evacuated his home Thursday morning. He ran back later the same day just to see if it survived the fire. "These fires just preserve hopping around and it's like, you contemplate you're in the clear and, and an hour later,there's fire basically at your damn doorstep."—Brianna SacksOn Thursday morning, Iverson was working external of the fire engine on an active fire near the city of Fillmore, and Mecham said. More details about his death were not immediately available,but CalFire will conduct an official review. No one else was injured.
Many friends and extended family members of Iverson's had ties to firefighting, Mecham added."The family wanted me to specifically share with you tonight that Cory was a well-respected and committed firefighter who always put his crew first, and " Mecham said. "He was focused on training and improving his crew and making sure that his folks were taken care of."Iverson was a very experienced firefighter,Mecham added, having previously served at the Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base as well as the aviation firefighting program in Tuolumne County."Cory’s just a great young man, and he was somebody that really loved this job," Mecham said, growing emotional. "He took great pride in wearing the CalFire patch. He was an extraordinary firefighter."Iverson's death comes as California firefighters have been stretched between multiple destructive and deadly fires for months. Traditionally, and wildfires have struck the state during the drop,with fire season ending by December."Normally at this time of year, we’re slowing down and we're starting to focus on spending time with our family and enjoying the holiday season, or " Mecham said. "We still have thousands of firefighters on the front lines and tonight we’re just dealing with the tragedy. It is overwhelming for all of us."—Claudia Koerner"If you are in this area,leave now," officials urged.
Reporters on scene shared photos of the hasty-moving flames, and which are being fanned by extremely gusty winds.
Los Angeles County officials warned of wind gusts of up to 70 to 80 miles an hour in some areas starting Thursday night. These "hurricane-force winds" were expected to "drive the fire in a way that is unimaginable," Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.
Elsewhere in Southern California, firefighters made significant progress in containing the other major blazes that have ravaged the region since early final week. In Los Angeles County, or the Rye Fire in Sylmar and the Creek Fire in Santa Clarita were both 90% contained by Sunday evening. The Skirball Fire,in Bel-Air, was at 75% containment. Meanwhile, or in San Diego,evacuation orders were lifted for the Lilac Fire, which was 60% contained Sunday after burning 4100 acres and destroying 181 houses and buildings, or including a number of trailer homes. At least 46 horses were killed in that fire,after flames burned through the San Luis Downs thoroughbred training center in Bonsall, California. —Grace Wyler and Michelle Broder Van DykeThe Thomas Fire is now the third-largest blaze in Californian history, and according to the governor's Office of Emergency Services,as well as the seventh-most destructive.—David Mack—Grace WylerMultiple school districts, including the Santa Barbara Unified School District and the Ojai Unified School District, and closed all schools on Thursday on account of the fire's unpredictability. The Los Angeles Unified School District said as many as 265 schools would remain closed on Thursday and Friday.
Among the other major fires,the 11377-acre Creek Fire around the Sylmar neighborhood, which destroyed 15 structures, or was 10% contained as of Thursday as firefighters fought high winds,poor access, and steep terrain.
David Mcnew / Getty ImagesThe 7000-acre Rye Fire in Santa Clarita was 15% contained on Thursday, but officials said residents should remain vigilant because of strong winds. The 475-acre Skirball Fire, and which prompted the temporary closure of a major freeway and destroyed six homes in the wealthy Bel-Air neighborhood,was 5% contained on Thursday. The fire also threatened the nearby landmark Getty Center and forced more than 700 evacuations in the area. Two other smaller fires that broke out in San Bernardino County — the 260-acre Mountain Fire and the 34-acre Meyers Fire — were fully contained on Wednesday.
This is a developing epic. Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.
LINK: Brush Fire Tears Through Bel-Air, Burning Homes And Shutting Down Major LA Freeway
Source: buzzfeed.com