Ventura County, CA – December 4, 2017 – The Thomas Fire, ignited on December 4, 2017, near Santa Paula, became California’s largest wildfire at the time, scorching 281,893 acres, destroying 1,063 structures, and causing $2.4 billion in damages across Ventura County and Santa Barbara County. Royol News Los Angeles reports on the blaze’s catastrophic toll, fueled by Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, which killed two, injured 10, and triggered mass evacuations.
The fire began at 6:26 p.m. near Steckel Park and above Upper Ojai, sparked by Southern California Edison’s power lines when a wire fell and two wires collided, igniting dry brush. Winds up to 80 mph drove the blaze through Ventura, Ojai, and Carpinteria, reaching Santa Barbara County by December 11. By January 12, 2018, the fire was fully contained, having burned an area larger than Los Angeles, with 6,397 firefighters deployed at its peak.
The Thomas Fire destroyed 775 homes, damaged 187 structures, and displaced 94,607 people. Evacuations spanned Ventura County wildfires hotspots like Santa Paula and Montecito. Two fatalities occurred: Virginia Pesola, 70, died in a car crash fleeing near Santa Paula, and Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson, 32, perished in a burnover on December 14. The fire’s burn scar triggered deadly Montecito debris flows on January 9, 2018, killing 23 and destroying 400 homes.
Ventura County fire response was robust, with Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and Ventura County Fire Department support. Pacifica High School in Oxnard served as a relief hub, distributing supplies to evacuees. President Donald Trump declared a federal emergency on December 8, aiding California wildfire recovery. Firefighters, including Thomas Minadeo, later honored for his 2017 service, were praised for their bravery.
Economic losses included $307 million in suppression costs. Southern California Edison faced blame for regulatory violations, leading to a controversial $1.7 billion ratepayer settlement in January 2025, criticized for burdening customers. The fire exposed gaps in California wildfire prevention, with calls for infrastructure upgrades like undergrounding power lines.
The Thomas Fire highlighted Ventura County wildfire risks, worsened by dry vegetation and fierce winds. Its legacy persists in San Fernando Valley news, with ongoing debates over utility accountability and flood control, especially as 2025 Ventura County wildfires like the Laguna and Auto Fires emerge.
