In Pictures: California wildfires continue to rage
The Thomas fire, which broke out in the western US state on December 4 has since travelled 43 kilometres and become the fifth-largest blaze in California's history.
In this early morning December 10, 2017 photo released by Santa Barbara County Fire Department, firefighters working on structure protection, keep a close eye on nearby flames atop Shepard Mesa Road in Carpinteria, California.
Out-of-control California wildfires that have destroyed nearly 700 homes crept closer to the upscale hillside community of Montecito on Tuesday despite calmer winds that slowed its progress.
One of the several fires, the Thomas fire, which broke out in the western US state on December 4 near the community of Ojai, has since traveled 43 kilometres (26 miles) to become the fifth-largest blaze in state history.
Officials said that while the conflagration charred another 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) overnight, a break in the hot, dry Santa Ana winds on Tuesday sapped its forward momentum and allowed crews to prevent further damage to homes.
Fire burns canyons and ridges above Bella Vista Drive near Romero Canyon as the fight to contain wildfires continues in Montecito, California, December 12, 2017.
The fifth-largest wildfire in California history has blackened more than 953 sq km in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, an area larger than New York City.
A smoke-filled sky filters orange light as the Thomas fire continues to grow and threaten communities from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara, December 12, 2017 in Carpinteria, California.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California (front) speaks to reporters about the California wildfires, at the White House, in Washington DC, December 12, 2017.
A NASA satellite image shows smoke from wildfires near Los Angeles in Southern California, lower right, blowing out over the Pacific Ocean on December 11, 2017. The Thomas fire, one of several burning around the state, has razed over 900 structures, at least 700 of them homes. It has also stretched across nearly 1,000 sq km of land.
Copyright © 2024 TRT World.