‘Beyond a perfect storm’: Wind-driven California fire nears record

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Cory Iverson, a San Diego-based firefighter who was one of the thousands fighting the blaze northwest of Los Angeles, died Thursday. A review team will investigate what happened. (Dec. 15)
AP

VENTURA, Calif. — Dozens of helicopters and thousands of firefighters stepped up their assault Sunday on a wildfire roaring near Los Angeles that has driven tens of thousands of people from their homes and threatens to become the largest blaze in state history.

The Thomas Fire, which began Dec. 4, is only 40% contained and may not be fully contained until next month, officials said. 

“Critical fire weather combined with … single-digit relative humidities will continue to support fire growth,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) ominously warned.

Two people have died, including firefighter Cory Iverson, and 1,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged as the blaze sweeps through more than 420 square miles. That’s about 6 square miles less than the largest California wildfire on record — the Cedar Fire, which killed 15 people near San Diego 14 years ago.

Almost 100,000 people have evacuated or were ordered to do so in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties west of Los Angeles as the Thomas Fire grows. Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said the fire has been fueled by conditions “beyond a perfect storm.”

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From the start, fierce Santa Ana winds gusting up to 60 mph drove the flames through a carpet of dry, drought-stressed chaparral unburned for decades. Lorenzen said the wind blew embers so thickly that 100-foot buffers between homes and brush weren’t enough protection from the blaze. It was “like a billion fireflies out there,” he said.

All the numbers are staggering. More than 8,500 firefighters, almost 1,000 fire engines and 34 helicopters are combating the blaze. CalFire estimates damages at more than $116 million and rising. And 18,000 more homes are considered threatened.

Evacuees include scores of celebrities fleeing mansions devoured or threatened by the blaze. Current or recent local homeowners include Oprah Winfrey, Drew Barrymore, Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe, Malcolm McDowell, Al Gore, Megyn Price, Eric Schmidt, Jane Seymour and Patrick Stewart.

Ellen DeGeneres said her home was undamaged but vulnerable. She was among many celebrities publicly lauding the efforts of firefighters.

“Firefighter Cory Iverson lost his life in this disaster, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Ashley, and their two year old daughter,” she tweeted. “I can’t imagine your loss. I’m sending you all so much love.”

Singer-songwriter Katy Perry said her mother had to evacuate her home Saturday — her 70th birthday.

“A big thank you to all the firefighters first responders from all the surrounding areas that have come out to fight these #thomasfire flames,” Perry tweeted.

The fire started less than two months after a series of wildfires roared through Northern California’s wine country, killing more than 40 people and incinerating thousands of homes.

California’s fire season was until recently viewed as starting in April and running through October. Now year-round fire issues have become the “new normal,” said state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara.

“These fires are very complicated and very dangerous, and Mother Nature does not share her playbook with us,” she said.

Bacon reported from McLean, Va. Contributing: Kathleen Wilson, Ventura County (Calif.) Star

 

 

 

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