The largest wildfire in California’s modern history is finally out, more than 6 months after it started

By Dakin Andone, CNN
Published 5:13 PM EDT, Sat June 2, 2018
00:26 - Source: CNN
Thomas Fire is the largest blaze in CA history
CNN  — 

Officials with the Los Padres National Forest announced this week the largest wildfire in California’s modern history is officially out, more than six months after it started.

The Thomas fire started December 4, 2017, and eventually burned 281,893 acres, a Friday news release from the US Forest Service said.

Officials made the announcement after no hot spots were detected within the fire’s perimeter for more than two months, the release said.

“Work continues however,” it said, “as crews and equipment repair roads, trails and fences damaged by the fire and by suppression actions.”

On December 23, the fire officially became the largest since the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection – also known as Cal Fire – began compiling its list in 1932.

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.

The blaze consumed more than 1,000 structures throughout Southern California before it became 100% contained January 12.

It also led to devastating mudslides in Montecito that killed 17 people and destroyed dozens of homes.

The Thomas Fire claimed the life of 32-year-old Cory Iverson, an engineer with Cal Fire. He left behind a wife, a toddler and an unborn baby.

The fire, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, devastated portions of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. It also concluded the costliest year of wildfires in US history, in which fires did more than $10 billion in damage.

About $177 million was spent battling the Thomas Fire alone, according to Cal Fire.

CNN’s Eric Levenson contributed to this report.