The
Thomas fire, the worst of five wildfires currently burning in
California, grew by more than 50,000 acres on Sunday, making it the
fifth-largest wildfire in the state's history, fire officials said.
Fueled by shifty Santa Ana winds
and extremely low humidity, the destructive blaze had charred at least
230,000 acres by Sunday evening, prompting new mandatory evacuation
orders for about 5,000 residents in Santa Barbara County.
More than 30,000 other residents in Santa Barbara County were under evacuation warnings.
The
fire, which has burned uncontrollably since last Monday, had destroyed
790 structures and damaged about 190 others by Sunday, authorities said.
It was only 10 percent contained as of Sunday evening as about 5,770
firefighters from about 100 different crews battled the blaze, according
to fire officials. It was about 15 percent contained earlier, but the
containment dropped as the fire’s perimeter grew, officials said.
It
was previously 15 percent contained, according to fire officials, but
the containment level dropped as the fire’s perimeter grew overnight
Saturday and through the day Sunday.
The
state has spent more than $34 million on efforts to suppress the Thomas
fire, which has also knocked out electricity for thousands of area
residents, authorities said.A 70-year-old woman was identified Friday as the first victim of the
fires. Virginia Pesola, of Santa Paula, was killed in a car crash as she
evacuated Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.A 70-year-old woman was identified Friday as the first victim of the
fires. Virginia Pesola, of Santa Paula, was killed in a car crash as she
evacuated Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.
From here on in California, Brown said, fires are going to be more "intense" and penetrate lives and property.
"Individuals need to come together to make our communities livable," he said.
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