Last updated October 15, 2021
-

Thomas Fire 2017

United States

Higher temperatures, drier conditions, increased fuel availability, and growing warm seasons—all linked to climate change—are increasing wildfire risk in California.

In 2017, the combination of a wet winter followed by extreme heat and dry conditions has fueled record wildfires in many Western states.[1]

In early December, a series of fires extended this trend when they erupted in the mountains north of Ventura and Los Angeles, California.

The Thomas Fire, which began on the evening of December 4, is the largest blaze and grew quickly to nearly 31,000 acres (50 square miles) in less than 12 hours.[2] As of January 1, 2018, the Thomas Fire was 92 percent contained and had burned 281,893 acres establishing it as largest fire in California recorded history.[3][4] A mixture of dry foliage, low humidity and high sustained winds of more than 30 miles per hour led to its explosive growth, according to Fire Sgt. Eric Buschow.[5] Other major fires included the Creek and Rye events.

Research indicates a direct causal link between human-induced climate change and increased wildfire risk in California.[6] Climate change has contributed to California's longer fire seasons, the growing number and destructiveness of fires and the increasing area of land consumed.[7][8] 

Get the details
Palm trees are silhouetted by flames from the Thomas Fire, which had charred an estimated 25,000-30,000 acres north of the city of Santa Paula in Ventura County Monday night. (Ryan Cullom / Ventura County Fire Department photo)