Firefighter killed while battling Thomas Fire, now at 252,500 acres

Update Friday, 7 a.m.

The Thomas Fire grew to 252,500 acres overnight and is still 35 percent contained, Cal Fire said.

Original post

The Thomas Fire grew to 249,500 acres Thursday, and crews were able to increase containment to 35 percent, according to Cal Fire.

More than 8,300 fire personnel have been assigned to the blaze burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties — already the fourth largest wildfire in California history. It has destroyed 974 structures and damaged 258.

Cal Fire confirmed Thursday that 32-year-old Cory Iverson, a San Diego-based fire engineer, died while fighting the Thomas Fire. Iverson had been with Cal Fire since 2009, Chief Ken Pimlott said. A GoFundMe has been created to support his family.

Cal Fire reported the majority of resources in Santa Barbara will focus on securing the western side of the fire above the coastal communities in the county.

In Ventura County, crews are engaged in suppressing active and small spot fires around the southeastern portion of the perimeter.

“Utility companies continue to assess and mitigate infrastructure that was damaged from the fire so citizens can be safe when returning to these affected areas,” Cal Fire said.

Click here for the latest information on evacuations in Ventura County. For Santa Barbara County, click here.

The Lilac Fire burning in San Diego County remained at 4,100 acres Thursday, and crews increased containment to 97 percent.

The Creek Fire burning in Los Angeles County also held steady at 15,619 acres, and is 98 percent contained.

A look at the largest wildfires in California, per Cal Fire:

▪  Cedar Fire: Burned 273,246 acres. October 2003 in San Diego County. A lost hunter started the blaze to signal for help.

▪  Rush Fire: Burned 271,911 acres in California, and 43,666 in Nevada. August 2012 in Lassen County. Started by lightning.

▪  Rim Fire: Burned 257,314 acres. August 2013 in Tuolumne County. Started by an illegal campfire.

▪  Thomas Fire: Has burned 249,500 acres so far. Cause is under investigation.

▪  Zaca Fire: Burned 240,207 acres. July 2007 in Santa Barbara County. Started by sparks from grinding equipment during a water pipe repair.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Firefighter killed while battling Thomas Fire, now at 252,500 acres."