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
MONTECITO, CA - DECEMBER 16: A strong wind blows embers at the Thomas Fire on December 16, 2017 in Montecito, California. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings of dangerous fire weather in Southern California for the duration of the weekend. Prior to the weekend, Los Angeles and Ventura counties had 12 consecutive days of red flag fire warnings, the longest sustained period of fire weather warnings on record. The Thomas Fire is currently the fourth largest California fire since records began in 1932, growing to 400 square miles and destroying more than 1,000 structures since it began on December 4. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
MONTECITO, CA - DECEMBER 16: A strong wind blows embers at the Thomas Fire on December 16, 2017 in Montecito, California. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings of dangerous fire weather in Southern California for the duration of the weekend. Prior to the weekend, Los Angeles and Ventura counties had 12 consecutive days of red flag fire warnings, the longest sustained period of fire weather warnings on record. The Thomas Fire is currently the fourth largest California fire since records began in 1932, growing to 400 square miles and destroying more than 1,000 structures since it began on December 4. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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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 wildfires in Southern California in what has been a devastating year for such natural disasters in the state.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: 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
PHOTO: Al Seib/LA Times via Getty Images
Ventura County firefighter Aaron Cohen rests