Here are the 5 largest California wildfires
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The Thomas fire on Friday became California’s largest wildfire on record, burning 273,400 acres.
The massive fire, which has raged for weeks through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, has claimed just over 1,000 structures and San Diego fire engineer Cory Iverson died fighting the fire last week. As of Friday evening, it is 65% contained.
Here’s a look at how the blaze compares with four other major wildfires in the state’s history:
1. Thomas fire — 273,400 acres*
December 2017
Counties: Ventura and Santa Barbara
Cause: Under investigation
Structures destroyed: 1,063*
Deaths: 2
* Information may change until fire is contained
2. Cedar fire — 273,246 acres
October 2003
County: San Diego
Cause: Human-related
Structures destroyed: 2,820
Deaths: 15
3. Rush fire — 272,200 acres*
August 2012
County: Lassen
Cause: Lightning
Structures destroyed: 0
Deaths: 0
* 271,911 acres burned in California; 43,666 burned in Nevada
4. Rim fire — 257,314 acres
August 2013
County: Tuolumne
Cause: Human-related
Structures destroyed: 112
Deaths: 0
5. Zaca fire — 240,207 acres
July 2007
County: Santa Barbara
Cause: Human-related
Structures destroyed: 1
Deaths: 0
ALSO
Before and after: Where the Thomas fire destroyed buildings in Ventura
Here are all the major fires in Southern California
UPDATES:
7:10 p.m.: This article was updated after officials declared the Thomas fire as the largest wildfire in California history.
This article was originally published at 2 p.m.
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