The Thomas Fire was a massive wildfire that occurred in December 2017 in Southern California. It started near the city of Ventura and quickly spread due to strong winds and dry conditions. The fire burned over 280,000 acres, making it one of the largest wildfires in California's history. The blaze caused significant damage, destroying more than 1,000 structures, including homes and businesses. Thousands of residents were evacuated, and firefighting efforts involved thousands of personnel and numerous aircraft. The fire was fully contained by January 12, 2018, but it left a lasting impact on the affected communities and the environment.