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Thomas Fire is 89 percent contained
A firefighter during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
A rainbow over the scene of the mostly extinguished Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
Fire trucks lined up during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
Fire trucks lined up during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
Fire hoses used during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
A statue of Father Junipero Serra wearing an air filter during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Father Junipero Serra statue
)
A sign near the Los Padres National Forest warns people of fire danger — with a little help from Smokey the Bear — during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
A firefighter during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
Ffirefighters during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
Firefighting gear during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
A charred sign near the Los Padres National Forest after the Thomas Fire scorched the area in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
The sun shines over scene of the mostly extinguished Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
The sun shines over scene of the mostly extinguished Thomas Fire in December 2017.
(
Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
Smoke from the Thomas Fire billows over Ventura, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017.
(
Noah Berger/AP
)
Updated from a story that originally ran on Dec. 24
The Thomas Fire, which has burned for more than three weeks in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, is now 89 percent contained. The fire has scorched 281,620 acres, making it the largest fire in modern California history.
A rainbow over the scene of the mostly extinguished Thomas Fire in December 2017.
(
Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
More good news, authorities expect to contain the fire sooner than their previous estimate of Jan. 7, as long as weather conditions remain favorable — that is, no fierce Santa Ana winds. Meteorologists predict 10 mph winds and temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s.
A statue of Father Junipero Serra wearing an air filter during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
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Father Junipero Serra statue
)
The Thomas Fire has destroyed 1,063 structures and damages another 280 since it started on Dec. 4.
Officials report that the fire line from Ventura to Santa Barbara is secure although fuels in the fire area remain critically dry. Crews are working to strengthen established containment lines near communities while mopping up hot spots along the fire perimeter.
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Firefighting crews and aircraft are on standby in case of any flare-ups or new fires in the area.
Residents reported seeing smoke on Saturday near Tule Creek. That was from a hotspot that flared up inside the burn area. Officials say it posed no threat to nearby fire lines. Other hot spots remain in the Bear Heaven area.
Fire hoses used during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
(
Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
Locals might see an increase in wild animals that have been displaced by the fire. If you encounter any, don't get close to them, don't feed them and if there's any threat to humans, you can call 911.
Route 33 at Fairview Rd. remains closed. Portions of the Los Padres National Forest are also closed.
All mandatory evacuation orders related to the Thomas Fire have been lifted.
Fire trucks lined up during the Thomas Fire in December 2017.
(
Stuart Palley / U.S. Forest Service
)
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