They also said that firefighters and aircrafts would remain in the area to help put out any flareups or new fires.Īdditionally, officials warned wildlife might be seen in residential areas in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as they become displaced because of the fire.Ĭal Fire advised that anyone who encounters a displaced animal should 'maintain a safe distance, refrain from feeding them, and if a threat to humans is perceived call 911.' 'Mop up operations along the fire perimeter and active patrol are ongoing.' 'Firefighters are building upon previous gains by strengthening established containment lines adjacent to communities and other infrastructure,' Cal Fire officials said in a news release. It has burned a total of 281,620 acres.įire officials said that no forward progress of the fire is expected, partially because there is no significant winds. The Thomas Fire, which has been burning through Southern California for 20 days, is 86% contained as of Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

Weather conditions cooled significantly in January, and a powerful storm dropped several inches of rain on the newly charred hillsides, prompting mudslides that killed 17 people, and destroyed 65 homes in the Montecito area.Ĭalifornia's second largest wildfire on record burned 273,000 acres in San Diego County in 2003 and was blamed for 15 deaths.ĬalFire described the Thomas Fire as 'unprecedented for December and January.' A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection incident report pointed to 'the absence of any significant precipitation' during what would normally have been the wet season, leaving brush 'critically dry across much of Southern California.' The blaze was fueled by unusually hot and dry winds in December. It also destroyed more than 1,000 homes and buildings. The blaze was blamed for the deaths of a firefighter and a woman who crashed her car while evacuating. Officials said Friday the fire was finally fully contained. 4 and eventually burned more than 281,000 acres, or 440 square miles, in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. More than a month after it erupted, the largest wildfire ever recorded in California is 100% contained.

Biggest california fire