Strong winds push Thomas Fire to 267,500 acres; now 40 percent contained

»» Follow continuing coverage of the Thomas Fire on Sunday, Dec. 17, HERE.

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The Thomas Fire burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties continued to grow for the 12th straight day on Saturday.

Cal Fire reported the fire has now burned 267,500 acres — making it the third-largest in California’s history — and containment has increased to 40 percent.

More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, 240 have been damaged and 18,000 remain threatened heading into Sunday morning.

There are currently 8,477 fire personnel battling the Thomas Fire, which made “an aggressive southward push” into the community of Montecito on Saturday after “very strong north winds” in the morning.

“On the north side of the fire, direct and indirect line construction will occur to contain fire that has spread north of Highway 33 and Rose Valley Road,” Cal Fire reported. “Direct line construction, where possible, will continue within the Zaca Fire burn scar to Highway 33. Fire suppression repair and damage inspection will continue as appropriate based on fire conditions.”

Residents from the Cottage Oaks long-term care facility in Santa Barbara were evacuated to a long-term care facility in San Luis Obispo on Saturday, according to a news release from the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department. Family members seeking information about a patient who may have been evacuated from Cottage Oaks are advised to call 805-305-9326.

Elsewhere in California, the Creek Fire in Los Angeles County, which has been burning since Dec. 5, remained at 15,619 acres and is 98 percent contained.

The Lilac Fire in San Diego County reached 100 percent containment after burning 4,100 acres since Dec. 7. The blaze destroyed 157 structures and damaged 64 more.

This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 7:30 PM with the headline "Strong winds push Thomas Fire to 267,500 acres; now 40 percent contained."