"Gusty Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions continued to stoke major wildfires in Southern California on Thursday as Ventura County fire officials said the battle there could last well over a week.

By Thursday evening, the Thomas fire had consumed 115,000 acres, destroyed 427 structures in Ventura and damaged at least 85 more, authorities said. An additional 12 structures were destroyed in unincorporated areas of Ventura County.

As the blaze intruded on Santa Barbara County, residents living in Carpinteria, Summerland and other coastal communities nearby were told to prepare to evacuate, even in areas under voluntary evacuation orders."

Ruben Vives, Sarah Parvini, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Louis Sahagun, and Joseph Serna report for the Los Angeles Times December 7, 2017. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"California Wildfire Forces 27,000 To Flee, Burns 50,000 Acres, Still No Containment" (San Diego Union-Tribune) [3]

"Track The Key Details On Southern California’S Fires" (Los Angeles Times) [4]

"As 'Epic Winds' Drive California Fires, Climate Change Fuels the Risk" (InsideClimate News) [5]

"Just Subtract Water - How A Dry Spell Allowed Winds To Lash California With Flames" (Reuters) [6]