Overview
The Thomas Fire was a massive wildfire that affected Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and one of multiple wildfires that ignited in Southern California in December 2017. It burned approximately 281,893 acres before being fully contained on January 12, 2018, making it the largest wildfire in modern California history at the time. It was surpassed by the Ranch Fire, part of the Mendocino Complex, in August 2018. The fire is currently the eighth-largest wildfire in modern California history, as of 2025. The fire was officially declared out on June 1, 2018, after more than two months in which no hotspots were detected. The Thomas Fire destroyed at least 1,063 structures, while damaging 280 others; and the fire caused over $2.2 billion in damages, including $230 million in suppression costs, entering the 10 most destructive wildfires in state history at the time. As of May 2026, the Thomas Fire is California's 17th-most destructive wildfire. Ventura's agriculture industry suffered at least $171 million in losses due to the Thomas Fire.