Biggest wildfire in California's history is declared extinguished SIX MONTHS after it first started, burning more than 440 square miles
- Los Padres National Forest officials made the designation after detecting no hotspots within the perimeter of the Thomas fire for more than two months
- The flames broke out on December 4, 2017, near Thomas Aquinas College
- They burned 440 square miles and 281,893 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara
- Two people were killed in the fire, including state firefighter Cory Iverson
- A massive downpour on fire-denuded mountains January 9 unleashed massive debris flows that ravaged hundreds of homes in the community of Montecito
Officials declared the largest wildfire in recorded California history officially extinguished Friday, nearly six months after it ignited and later burned hillsides that washed away in deadly mudslides northwest of Los Angeles.
Los Padres National Forest officials made the designation after detecting no hotspots within the perimeter of the Thomas fire for more than two months.
The flames broke out on December 4, 2017, near Thomas Aquinas College and burned more than 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers) in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Los Padres National Forest officials made the designation after detecting no hotspots within the perimeter of the Thomas fire for more than two months
The flames burned 440 square miles and 281,893 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara once they started on December 4, 2017
It did damage to over 281,893 acres in both Ventura and Santa Barbara.
Two people were killed, including state firefighter Cory Iverson. The 32-year-old suffered from 'thermal injuries and smoke inhalation' according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner.
He had been working in a 'very active' area of the fire near Fillmore.
The other victim died as a result of a vehicle crash while trying to evacuate.
The flames destroyed more than 1,000 buildings before they were fully contained on January 12.
Two people were killed, including state firefighter Cory Iverson
The 32-year-old father suffered from 'thermal injuries and smoke inhalation' according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner
A massive downpour on fire-denuded mountains January 9 unleashed massive debris flows that ravaged hundreds of homes in the community of Montecito, killing 21 people and leaving two missing.
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The blaze erupted as powerful Santa Ana winds swept the region, causing power outages. The gusts swept the fire out of a semirural area and into neighborhoods.
A spate of lawsuits by victims claim losses from the blaze and the resulting flooding were due to negligence by Southern California Edison.
The blaze erupted as powerful Santa Ana winds swept the region, causing power outages
More than half the burned territory was in Los Padres National Forest, where officials said crews were repairing roads, trails and fences damaged by the blaze and fire suppression actions
In response, the utility has said the cause of the fire remains under investigation and the claims don't stem from official findings.
More than half the burned territory was in Los Padres National Forest, where officials said crews were repairing roads, trails and fences damaged by the blaze and fire suppression actions.
Officials are developing a strategic approach for repairing trails damaged by the fire and rainstorms.
Officials are developing a strategic approach for repairing trails damaged by the fire and rainstorms
A fire is said to be contained when flames are blocked on all sides by a boundary
A fire is said to be contained when flames are blocked on all sides by a boundary, according to NBC Los Angeles.
It is considered controlled wen there are no other dangers associated with a fire potentially burning beyond contained lines.
Closure orders were lifted in the area on May 24.
California had one of its wettest winters in 2016-2017 causing increased vegetation.
In the summer, the grasses there dried up and turned into tinder which added in the spreading of fires.
California had one of its wettest winters in 2016-2017 causing increased vegetation. In the summer, the grasses there dried up and turned into tinder which added in the spreading of fires
A man watches the Thomas Fire in the hills above Carpinteria, California
The flames destroyed more than 1,000 buildings before they were fully contained on January 12
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