California Firefighters Battle Expanding Thomas Fire

California’s Thomas fire continued to grow on Sunday morning, December 17, despite firefighters’ successful efforts to prevent homes along the coastline of Santa Barbara county from being destroyed, the LA Times reported.

The third-largest fire in the state’s history had been fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, scorching 269,000 acres from Santa Barbara to Ventura. Early Sunday, authorities tweeted the blaze was 40 percent contained. Credit: Twitter/CALFIRE TCU via Storyful