Edhat Staff(Photos: Mike Eliason, John Palminteri, VCFD)
Recent updates highlighted in yellow.
Source: Santa Barbara County and Ready Ventura County
Updated at 8:50 a.m., January 12, 2018
The Thomas Fire has burned 281,893 acres was declared 100% contained on Friday, January 12, 2018.
RECENT UPDATES
Update from Los Padres National Forest at 8:50 am 1/12/18:
After the over flights yesterday, the Thomas Fire is now at 100% containment. The forest closures within the footprint of the Thomas Fire remain in effect until further assessments can be made and deemed safe for the public to re-enter. Los Padres National Forest would like to thank all the first responders and cooperators that responded to this incident over the last month and giving up the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families and the sacrifices they made. We would also like to thank the local and surrounding communities for their understanding and support during this time.
Wildfires exacerbate the potential for debris flow and are most likely to occur during high intensity rainfall. Debris flows can be extremely dangerous. There is currently a closure order that covers the burned area and surrounding areas as well. This order includes trails within the burned area. Please adhere to the closure order and stay out of the forest until Los Padres National Forest deems it safe for the public to reenter the area. Also, please be mindful of any notices and warnings put out by our cooperators, Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Services and Ventura County Office of Emergency Management.
The type 3 organization, under the command of Incident Commander, David Valencia, will be transferring command to a Los Padres National Forest type 4 team, under the command of Hector Medrano, effective Monday, January 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
Due to the incoming weather the public will see an increase in heavy equipment on HWY 154, 33 & 101 as resources from the Thomas Fire move from the Ojai Ranger District to the Santa Barbara Ranger District. This in an effort to demobilize the majority of the resources assigned to the Thomas Fire before the weather system arrives on Monday. Once this system has passed and clear skies return, personnel from the Thomas Fire will assess the fire area to determine when it will be safe to move equipment and crews back into the fire perimeter. The type 3 Incident Management Team and the US Forest Service would like to remind the public to drive safe and be aware of the increase in heavy equipment that will be on the roads over the weekend. Firefighter and public safety are always the top priority of the US Forest Service and Los Padres National Forest.
The Los Padres National Forest is closed to the public within the Thomas Fire perimeter on the Santa Barbara and Ojai Ranger Districts. The Sage Hill Group Campground is temporarily closed while fire crews use the area as a base camp.
Level 3 fire restrictions are in effect for the Los Padres National Forest. Campfires are allowed only in designated-use sites, and no fires are allowed in the backcountry; portable stoves and lanterns (with an on-off switch) are only permitted with a valid California Campfire Permit.
The federal Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team and California Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) are assessing areas within the Thomas Fire for burn severity and identifying locations at risk for flooding, debris flows and other post-fire hazards. The teams will turn over their data to Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management and Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, who will develop emergency preparedness and response plans for their respective communities.
County-based emergency service agencies are reviewing assessment reports from the BAER and WERT teams and working on emergency preparation plans for affected communities. After a wildfire, flood risk is usually highest until vegetation returns, which can take up to five years. Flood preparation information is available at www.countyofsb.org/pwd/
Residents and visitors to Santa Barbara and Ventura counties may see an increase in wildlife in local communities due to displacement from the fire. Individuals who encounter these displaced animals are encouraged to maintain a safe distance, refrain from feeding them, and if a threat to humans is perceived call 911 (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/
For questions, please call the Thomas Fire Information Help Line at 681-5542.
Closures:
- Download the revised the Los Padres National Forest’s Thomas Fire closure order and map.
- Temporary closure of the East Camino Cielo from the San Marcos Station to Gibraltar Road from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 3:30-7 p.m. daily.
Flood Preparation: Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties are posting flood preparation and recovery information on the following websites:
- www.countyofsb.org/pwd/water.
sbc - www.countyofsb.org/pwd/
floodprep.sbc - countyofsb.org/thomasfire.sbc#
recovery - www.venturacountyrecovers.org
STATS
Acres Burned: 281,893
Containment: 100%
Cause: Under Investigation
Fatalities*: 2
Injuries**: 3
Structures Destroyed: 1,063
Structures Damaged: 280
Structures Threatened: Unknown
Total Personnel: 13
Citizens Evacuated: Unknown
Total Cost to Date: $177,183,000
Containment Date: 1/12/18
Closures: Download the revised closure order and map.
*Fatalities: A 70-year-old Santa Paula Woman reportedly died after crashing her car in an attempt to evacuate, read more here. On Dec. 14th, a firefighter was killed while working on the Thomas Fire. Read more here.
**Injuries: A firefighter from Redding suffered a leg injury on December 10, and two other firefighters were injured on December 17. Read more here.
State of Emergency: Governor Brown declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County due to the Thomas fire. In addition, Santa Barbara County was issued a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with the mitigation, management, and control of the Thomas Fire. Read more here.
EOC Hotline 805-465-6650
MAPS
Heat Index Map by Direct Relief
Repair Map as of 1/1/18 (Click on the map below for a larger image)
Thomas Fire Progression Map as of 12/31/17 (Click on the below map for a larger image)
Operations Map as of 12/31/17 (Click the map for a larger image)
A more detailed evacuation map can be found here. Evacuation Route maps can be found below:
PHONE RESOURCES
EOC Hotline: 805-465-6650
Fire Updates: 2-1-1 if you’re in the 805 area code, or call 800-400-1572
So Cal Edison: 800-611-1911
Animal Evacuations: (805) 681-4332 or (866) 387-8911
Red Cross: 1-800 RED CROSS
DONATE TO THOMAS FIRE VICTIMS
Text UWVC to 41444 and 100% of the donations will go directly to those affected by the fires.
USGS GeoMAC site is good. Turn on the satellite (MODIS and VIIRS) data layer.
https://www.geomac.gov/viewer/viewer.shtml
Voluntary evacuation warning now extended to 154 from Foothill to E Camino Cielo!
The word is “perimeter”. “parameter” means something quite different.
Just saw a fixed wing fire bomber attack from the north towards Monticito. Could it be Oprah’s private air force?
Yes, that was answered at one of the briefings. Believe it or not there is a limit as to how much to spend as far as what is really needed. They have all they need for structure protection and spending for additional air support to sit most of the time due to weather (smoke and winds) would totally not be cost effective for what is burning in the forest and will tie into previous burns.
Oprah doesn’t need anything, she has acres upon acres of lush green landscaping around her properties.
derp, wrong comment to reply to
Nothing to joke about here! Good work Ed Hat team! Usually I just write sarcastic attempts at humor (often about loser mug shots etc.) but I just want to commend the website. Good Job!!!
edhat staff,
For the last few days your posted Thomas fire stats have listed “Citizens Evacuated: 10” Would you correct that typo please?