California wildfire within 500 acres of breaking record

The Associated Press

8 years ago

Flames from a back firing operation underway rise behind a home off Ladera Lane near Bella Vista Drive in Santa Barbara, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP, File)

In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, firefighters follow a hose line while walking rugged and scorched terrain below E. Camino Cielo near Gibraltar Road in Santa Barbara, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Officials estimate that the fire will grow to become the biggest in California history before full containment, expected by Jan. 7. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)

In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, CAL FIRE Inmate Firefighting Hand Crew members hike through the charred landscape on their way to work east of Gibraltar Road above Montecito, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Officials estimate that the fire will grow to become the biggest in California history before full containment, expected by Jan. 7. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)

A Pacific Gas & Electric crew works at restoring power along the Old Redwood Highway in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Oct. 11, 2017. California utility Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is suspending dividend payments to shareholders out of concern for any financial liability in Northern California wildfires. The utility’s board announced the move in a statement Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

Ray and Curry Sawyer pose at a hotel where they’re staying in Goleta, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Sawyers have been away from their home for 11 days because of a massive wildfire and may not be allowed back before Christmas, when both their sons and their families were supposed to celebrate the holidays. (Curry Sawyer via AP)

The huge wildfire that burned hundreds of homes northwest of Los Angeles this month is within 500 acres (202 hectares) of becoming the largest on record in California.

Despite minimal activity, the so-called Thomas Fire increased in size to 272,800 acres (110,400 hectares) as of Friday morning.

The state’s largest fire on record burned 273,246 acres (110,581 hectares) in San Diego County in October 2003.

The Thomas Fire destroyed more than 1,000 structures as it raged through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. It’s now 65 percent contained and all mandatory evacuations have been lifted.