A San Diego firefighter was killed battling an enormous blaze in California—called the Thomas Incident—as it continues to burn in parts of California’s Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
“I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident,” a Cal Fire statement read.
Cal Fire Director Chief Ken Pimlott expressed his condolences to the family.
“Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers, all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts, as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions,” said Pimlott.
Regional firefighting units are also weighing in with condolences.
“This is a sad day for all. We stand shoulder to shoulder with support for our brothers and sisters. Our prayers go out to the families and friends for our shared loss,” a Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit statement reads.
“We stand strong to support our brothers and sisters to the south. Our prayers go to the family, friends and coworkers,” reads another from the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit.
As of now, the Thomas fire has claimed the lives of two firefighters.
A series of Red Flag Warnings remain in effect in the south, extending into central California due to low chance of rain and high winds.
The 242,500-acre Thomas fire broke out as a brush fire on Monday, Dec. 4. In the last 10 days ablaze, the fire has destroyed 930 structures and damaged another 193, according to Cal Fire.
According to a Cal Fire statement issued on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 9:26 a.m., containment of the Thomas Incident blaze stood at 30%.
1. Cedar
Cause: Human Related Date: October 2003 Location: San Diego County Acres: 273,246 Structures: 2,820 Fatalities: 15
2. Rush
Cause: Lightning Date: August 2012 Location: Lassen County Acres: 271,911 California/43,666 Nevada Structures: None Fatalities: None
3. Rim
Cause: Human Related Date: August 2013 Location: Tuolumne County Acres: 257,314 Structures: 112 Fatalities: None
4. Thomas
Cause: Undetermined Date: December 2017 Location: Ventura, Santa Barbara counties Acres: At least 242,000 Structures: At least 900 Fatalities: 1
5. Zaca
Cause: Human Related Date: July 2007 Location: Santa Barbara County Acres: 240,207 Structures: 1 Fatalities: 0
6. Matilija
Cause: Undetermined Date: September 1932 Location: Ventura County Acres: 220,000 Structures: 0 Fatalities: 0
7. Witch
Cause: Powerlines Date: October 2007 Location: San Diego County Acres: 197,990 Structures: 1,650 Fatalities: 2
8. Klamath Theater Complex
Cause: Lightning Date: June 2008 Location: Siskiyou County Acres: 192,038 Structures: 0 Fatalities: 2
9. Marble Cone
Cause: Lightning Date: July 1977 Location: Monterey County Acres: 177,866 Structures: 0 Fatalities: 0
10. Laguna
Cause: Powerlines Date: September 1970 Location: San Diego County Acres: 175,425 Structures: 382 Fatalities: 5
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