The more than 8,400 firefighters and support personnel assigned to
the Thomas Fire northwest of Los Angeles have achieved 45% containment of the
blaze, according to information posted today by Cal Fire. Some 366 Oregon
firefighters are engaged on the Thomas Fire, including a contingent of 66
the Thomas Fire northwest of Los Angeles have achieved 45% containment of the
blaze, according to information posted today by Cal Fire. Some 366 Oregon
firefighters are engaged on the Thomas Fire, including a contingent of 66
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| Above: Oregon firefighters deployed by ODF to the Thomas Fire put out a spot fire threatening an avocado orchard. |
firefighters from several ODF districts and the Coos and Douglas Forest
Protective Associations.
Despite the containment gains, the Thomas Fire spread over the
weekend, growing to 270,500 acres in size. That makes it the third
largest in California since at least the 1930s.
weekend, growing to 270,500 acres in size. That makes it the third
largest in California since at least the 1930s.
ODF’s agency representative this weekend spent time in the Santa Barbara area,
where the fire made a three-mile advance Saturday. “Due to excellent
firefighting, including Oregon task forces, the amount of structures damaged or
destroyed was much less than expected,” he reported. “The suppression
action was intense and impressive, with innumerable small, medium and large
spot fires being suppressed in and around heavily populated areas.”
where the fire made a three-mile advance Saturday. “Due to excellent
firefighting, including Oregon task forces, the amount of structures damaged or
destroyed was much less than expected,” he reported. “The suppression
action was intense and impressive, with innumerable small, medium and large
spot fires being suppressed in and around heavily populated areas.”
The agency representative also commented that, “ODF and
Forest Protection Association personnel engaged on the fire continue to perform
to a very high degree of skill and professionalism.”
Forest Protection Association personnel engaged on the fire continue to perform
to a very high degree of skill and professionalism.”
Cal Fire reported that to date the Thomas Fire has destroyed more
than 750 single-family residence and damaged almost 200 others. Thousands of
people have been forced to evacuate in advance of the fire, which is burning in
Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Some 18,000 structures are still
considered at risk from the fire. Much of the fire is burning in the Los Padres
National Forest. The forest covers 1.76 million acres of rugged terrain from
sea level to more than 8,000 feet in elevation. Popular with hikers, it is also
home to a number of rare or threatened species, including the California
condor.
than 750 single-family residence and damaged almost 200 others. Thousands of
people have been forced to evacuate in advance of the fire, which is burning in
Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Some 18,000 structures are still
considered at risk from the fire. Much of the fire is burning in the Los Padres
National Forest. The forest covers 1.76 million acres of rugged terrain from
sea level to more than 8,000 feet in elevation. Popular with hikers, it is also
home to a number of rare or threatened species, including the California
condor.
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| Above: Some 25 fire engines are deployed to the Thomas Fire from several ODF districts and the Coos and Douglas Forest Protective Associations. |
A note on Santa Ana winds
Prolonged Santa Ana winds have fanned the Thomas Fire since it began Dec.4, contributing to its rapid growth and extreme fire behavior. These winds originate as a high-pressure system over the Great Basin and upper Mojave Desert. The cool, dry air sweeps across the deserts of eastern California before funneling through mountain passes and canyons to the Pacific Ocean. Three things happen when Santa Ana winds are blowing: it gets warmer, wind speed increases and humidity plummets, all of which increase fire risk.
For the latest information about the Thomas Fire, visit Cal Fire’s
incident information page at http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents.
incident information page at http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents.