Thomas Fire grows overnight, but crews keep containment at 20 percent

The Thomas Fire burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties grew to 234,200 acres overnight, with containment at 20 percent.

After exploding by 55,000 acres Sunday, the fire’s growth slowed Monday, and crews managed to increase containment.

So far, the fire has destroyed 889 structures, including 695 homes, and damaged 182 more. Almost 7,000 fire personnel have responded to the blaze.

18,000 structures remain threatened.

“Severe fire weather will continue to promote significant fire growth further into Santa Barbara County, threatening the communities of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Montecito and Summerland,” Cal Fire said in a Monday morning update.

The fire is expected to move further into the Sespe Wilderness and Sespe Condor Sanctuary, as gusty offshore winds continue to threaten residential areas.

Updated information on evacuations and closures can be found at readyventuracounty.org and countyofsb.org.

This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 7:41 AM with the headline "Thomas Fire grows overnight, but crews keep containment at 20 percent."