Thomas Fire Explodes To 231,700 Acres; 20% Contained

VENTURA COUNTY, CA -- A week after it first sparked, the Thomas Fire in Southern California exploded to 231,700 acres on Monday, making its way to Santa Barbara County where it forced more evacuations. The fire, which began in Ventura County and has so far killed one person, destroyed 794 structures and damaged 187 others buildings.

Fire officials said Monday evening that the Thomas Fire, which is seven times of the size of San Francisco, is 20 percent contained.

On Sunday, officials issued mandatory evacuations for the seaside towns of Carpinteria and Montecito in Santa Barbara County. As of Monday morning, more than 85,000 people were forced from their homes because of the Thomas Fire.

See the latest evacuation map here.

The fire, which was one of several to spark in Southern California in recent days, prompted the response of more than 6,000 fire personnel from throughout the western U.S. Fueled by erratic Santa Ana winds, the fire quickly gained ground in the region, making it the fifth largest wildfire in California's modern history, officials said.

Cal Fire officials said about 9,000 firefighters remain on the line as they work to contain all six fires burning in the region. As of Monday, the fires burned a total of 257,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 structures.

A Red Flag Warning also remains in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through tomorrow as Santa Ana winds are expected to average at 35 to 45 mph.

So far, one person has died as a result of the Southern California wildfires. Ventura County Medical Examiner Christopher Young announced last week that 70-year-old Virginia Pesola died as a result of the Thomas Fire.

"The death involved a traffic incident during active fire evacuation," Young said in a press release. "The cause of death is blunt force injuries with terminal smoke inhalation and thermal injuries."

Many school districts and government offices remained closed Monday as crews work to contain the fire.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.

--Photo: A hillside glows with embers as a wildfire burns through Los Padres National Forest near Ojai, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

See Also:

Rob Lowe Among Montecito Celebrities Affected By Thomas Fire

500-Pound Pig Rescued From California Wildfire

Also See: Thomas Fire Now California's Fifth-Largest Wildfire