The largest fire in California’s modern history is now 100% contained the US Forest Service said yesterday. The Thomas Fire, as it was named, started on December 4 and has been burning since. According to authorities, 281,900 acres have been consumed, more than the size of the cities of Dallas and Miami combined.
The cause of the fire as of yet undetermined. It was fueled by strong winds and by the dry fall and winter California seasons this year. Dry brush and tall grass helped fuel the record-setting fire. It destroyed a total of 1,063 structures and damaged 280 others. One person, Cory Iverson, a 32-year-old firefighter died last month fighting it.
At its height, more than 2,800 firefighters were involved in the effort to bring the blaze under control. About $177 million was spent fighting the fire as of December 24. The Thomas Fire helped to make 2017 the costliest year for wildfires in the nation’s history, with more than $10 billion in damages.