The massive Thomas Fire burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties has scorched 270,500 acres and is 45 percent contained according to a release from Cal Fire officials.
Firefighters from all over the U.S. have come to Southern California to help local agencies battle the blaze. Driven by non-stop winds and low humidity over the last two weeks, conditions have been challenging for crews battling the Thomas Fire. This past Sunday, firefighters in mountain areas dealt with wind gusts topping 70 mph, but those calmed as the day continued, giving crews a break.
Evacuation orders for several areas in the Santa Barbara County were lifted Monday afternoon according to Cal Fire. A complete list of evacuations and road closures can be found at www.countyofSB.org and www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org.
The National Weather Service says a series of cool, onshore winds should help push the fire back on itself, slowing the progression of the blaze. More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by the massive fire, and another 250 have been damaged.
The Thomas Fire is 45 percent contained as of Monday morning.
Residents in Ventura and Santa Barbara aren't out of the woods yet. Another 18,000 structures remain threatened by the massive blaze that officials say they'll be fighting through January.