Oregon firefighters deployed by ODF and the Coos and Douglas Forest Protective Associations returned safely before Christmas from the Thomas Fire in Southern California. Since their return, the wildfire has officially become the largest in California in modern times. According to Cal Fire statistics, the Thomas Fire’s size is 281,620 acres. That’s more than 8,000 acres larger than the 273,246-acre Cedar Fire of 2003 – the previous record holder since reliably accurate mapping began in the 1930s.
According to Cal Fire, the Thomas Fire is now 88% contained and is not expected to spread further. The number of personnel assigned to the fire has reportedly fallen below 900.