Thomas Fire, once largest in California history, is now 100% contained

Eric Levenson
By Eric Levenson, CNN
Published 2:40 PM EST, Fri January 12, 2018
00:26 - Source: CNN
Thomas Fire is the largest blaze in CA history

Story highlights

Thomas Fire burned area more than the size of Dallas and Miami combined

The wildfire also contributed to this week's deadly mudslides in Southern California

CNN —  

After more than a month of destruction, the largest fire in California’s modern history is now 100% contained, according to the US Forest Service.

The Thomas Fire ignited on December 4 and has burned about 281,900 acres since then, sending wide swaths of Southern California up in flames. That size is the equivalent of more than Dallas and Miami combined.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. However it started, the fire was fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and by the overall lack of precipitation this fall and winter, turning the brush, tall grass and chaparral in the area into fuels, according to the Forest Service.

Flames from a back-firing operation rise behind a home off Ladera Lane near Bella Vista Drive in Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday, December 14. Powerful Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions are fueling <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/07/us/ventura-fire-california/index.html" target="_blank">wildfires in Southern California</a> in what has been a devastating year for <a href="http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/12/us/california-wildfires-cnnphotos/" target="_blank">such natural disasters in the state.</a>
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department/AP
Flames from a back-firing operation rise behind a home off Ladera Lane near Bella Vista Drive in Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday, December 14. Powerful Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions are fueling wildfires in Southern California in what has been a devastating year for such natural disasters in the state.
Fire, smoke and ash from the Thomas Fire blanket Santa Barbara on Wednesday, December 13.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
George Rose/Getty Images
Fire, smoke and ash from the Thomas Fire blanket Santa Barbara on Wednesday, December 13.
A smoke-filled sky filters sunlight to orange around a surfer as the Thomas Fire continues to grow and threaten communities from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara on Tuesday, December 12, in Carpinteria, California.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
David McNew/Getty Images
A smoke-filled sky filters sunlight to orange around a surfer as the Thomas Fire continues to grow and threaten communities from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara on Tuesday, December 12, in Carpinteria, California.
People watch as firefighters battle flames in Carpinteria, California, on Monday, December 11.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
People watch as firefighters battle flames in Carpinteria, California, on Monday, December 11.
As smoke obscures the sun, a Coulson C-130 air tanker turns to make a drop on a Carpinteria hillside on December 11.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP
As smoke obscures the sun, a Coulson C-130 air tanker turns to make a drop on a Carpinteria hillside on December 11.
As the Thomas Fire burns in the background, Dan Bellaart and his wife, Mary McEwen, comfort each other in their backyard in Montecito, California, on December 11.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
As the Thomas Fire burns in the background, Dan Bellaart and his wife, Mary McEwen, comfort each other in their backyard in Montecito, California, on December 11.
The Thomas Fire burns in the mountains near Carpinteria on Sunday, December 10.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Thomas Fire burns in the mountains near Carpinteria on Sunday, December 10.
Firefighters battle a wildfire as it advances on homes in Carpinteria on December 10.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP
Firefighters battle a wildfire as it advances on homes in Carpinteria on December 10.
A cloud of smoke overshadows downtown Ventura, California, on December 10.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Al Seib/LA Times via Getty Images
A cloud of smoke overshadows downtown Ventura, California, on December 10.
Horses are evacuated from the Laughing Dog Ranch as smoke from the Thomas Fire descends on the area in Ojai, California, on Saturday, December 9.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
Horses are evacuated from the Laughing Dog Ranch as smoke from the Thomas Fire descends on the area in Ojai, California, on Saturday, December 9.
The shell of a burnt-out bus is seen after fire swept through residential neighborhoods near Ojai on Friday, December 8.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Marcus Yam/LA Times via Getty Images
The shell of a burnt-out bus is seen after fire swept through residential neighborhoods near Ojai on Friday, December 8.
Flames rise as a fire approaches the Lake Casitas area of Ojai on December 8.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
David McNew/Getty Images
Flames rise as a fire approaches the Lake Casitas area of Ojai on December 8.
A burnt Mercedes is seen after the Skirball Fire swept through the Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel-Air on Thursday, December 7.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
A burnt Mercedes is seen after the Skirball Fire swept through the Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel-Air on Thursday, December 7.
Palm trees sway in a gust of wind as a firefighter carries a hose in Ventura on December 7.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Jae C. Hong/AP
Palm trees sway in a gust of wind as a firefighter carries a hose in Ventura on December 7.
Residents watch the Thomas Fire burn a hillside above La Conchita, California, on December 7.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Residents watch the Thomas Fire burn a hillside above La Conchita, California, on December 7.
Fires surround a hilltop mansion in Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 6.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Jae C. Hong/AP
Fires surround a hilltop mansion in Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 6.
"Daddy, the home is gone," Amanda Lewis tells her family on December 6. The Thomas Fire raged through her parents' foothill neighborhood in Ventura.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Sarah Reingewirtz/Los Angeles Daily News via ZUMA Wire
"Daddy, the home is gone," Amanda Lewis tells her family on December 6. The Thomas Fire raged through her parents' foothill neighborhood in Ventura.
Smoke rises across Southern California in this image taken from the International Space Station on December 6.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Nasa/Planet Pix via ZUMA Wire
Smoke rises across Southern California in this image taken from the International Space Station on December 6.
A Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter makes a water drop on flames after the Skirball Fire swept through Bel-Air on December 6.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Reed Saxon/AP
A Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter makes a water drop on flames after the Skirball Fire swept through Bel-Air on December 6.
Flames from the Thomas Fire burn above a truck north of Ventura on December 6.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Noah Berger/AP
Flames from the Thomas Fire burn above a truck north of Ventura on December 6.
Joyce George, right, comforts neighbor Dawn Reily on December 6. Reily's Ventura home was destroyed by fire.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
MIKE NELSON/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Joyce George, right, comforts neighbor Dawn Reily on December 6. Reily's Ventura home was destroyed by fire.
Flames consume vehicles in Ventura on Tuesday, December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Noah Berger/AP
Flames consume vehicles in Ventura on Tuesday, December 5.
Smoke billows from a burning house in Los Angeles as the Creek Fire moves through the area on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto via ZUMA Press
Smoke billows from a burning house in Los Angeles as the Creek Fire moves through the area on December 5.
A man watches as a wildfire burns in Ventura on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Noah Berger/AP
A man watches as a wildfire burns in Ventura on December 5.
The Creek Fire burns on a hillside in the Shadow Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Mario Tama/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The Creek Fire burns on a hillside in the Shadow Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on December 5.
A firefighter battles a blaze in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Chris Carlson/AP
A firefighter battles a blaze in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on December 5.
Antoine Hanna comforts his wife, Tammy, after firefighters saved their home in Ventura on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Al Seib/LA Times via Getty Images
Antoine Hanna comforts his wife, Tammy, after firefighters saved their home in Ventura on December 5.
This Ventura apartment complex, seen on December 5, was destroyed by fire.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Noah Berger/AP
This Ventura apartment complex, seen on December 5, was destroyed by fire.
A firefighter sprays water at a burning house in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Chris Carlson/AP
A firefighter sprays water at a burning house in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on December 5.
Palm trees burn in Ventura on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Palm trees burn in Ventura on December 5.
Ventura County firefighter Aaron Cohen rests on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Al Seib/LA Times via Getty Images
Ventura County firefighter Aaron Cohen rests on December 5.
A man prepares to evacuate his house in Santa Paula, California, on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
RINGO CHIU/AFP/Getty Images
A man prepares to evacuate his house in Santa Paula, California, on December 5.
A man tries to catch a horse that got loose in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Chris Carlson/AP
A man tries to catch a horse that got loose in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles on December 5.
Shrubs burn near a home in Ventura on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Jae C. Hong/AP
Shrubs burn near a home in Ventura on December 5.
James and Josie Ralstin carry belongings retrieved from their home in Ventura on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Noah Berger/AP
James and Josie Ralstin carry belongings retrieved from their home in Ventura on December 5.
Firefighters work to put out a blaze engulfing homes in Ventura on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Ryan Cullom/AP
Firefighters work to put out a blaze engulfing homes in Ventura on December 5.
The Thomas Fire burns along a hillside near Santa Paula on December 5.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
KYLE GRILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
The Thomas Fire burns along a hillside near Santa Paula on December 5.

In all, the Thomas Fire destroyed 1,063 structures and damaged another 280, according to the Forest Service. Mandatory evacuation orders were in place for parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Cory Iverson, a 32-year-old firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, died last month while battling the Thomas Fire.

Firefighters battle flames as they advance on homes atop Shepherd Mesa Road in Carpinteria, California, on Sunday.
Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP
Firefighters battle flames as they advance on homes atop Shepherd Mesa Road in Carpinteria, California, on Sunday.

The California wildfires by the numbers

At one point, more than 2,800 firefighters were working to contain the fire. About $177 million was spent fighting the fire as of December 24, according to Cal Fire.

“Los Padres National Forest would like to thank all the first responders and cooperators that responded to this incident over the last month and giving up the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families and the sacrifices they made,” the Forest Service said in a statement Friday.

“We would also like to thank the local and surrounding communities for their understanding and support during this time.”

The Thomas Fire put a cap on what was the costliest year for wildfires in US history, with $10 billion in damage.

The damage from the chapel at La Casa de Maria in Montecito after heavy rainfall and mudslide early Tuesday.
Mike Eliason, Santa Barbara County Fire
The damage from the chapel at La Casa de Maria in Montecito after heavy rainfall and mudslide early Tuesday.

California mudslides: 1,250 rescuers searching 'for a miracle'

The wildfire’s devastation also contributed to this week’s mudslides in the Montecito area that killed 17 people and destroyed dozens of homes.

Usually, vegetation helps absorb the rain as it hits the ground. But because the Thomas Fire consumed so much brush and shrubs across the region, the circumstances were ripe for mudslides.

“All these hills normally have a protective cover of chaparral,” said Tom Fayram, Santa Barbara’s deputy director of public works. “That’s all gone. Almost 100% gone.”