Thomas Fire now third-largest wildfire in modern California history

By Nicole Chavez, CNN

Updated 0444 GMT (1244 HKT) December 17, 2017

Flames from a back-firing operation rise behind a home off Ladera Lane near Bella Vista Drive in Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday, December 14. Powerful Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions are fueling <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/07/us/ventura-fire-california/index.html" target="_blank">wildfires in Southern California</a> in what has been a devastating year for <a href="http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/12/us/california-wildfires-cnnphotos/" target="_blank">such natural disasters in the state.</a>
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Flames from a back-firing operation rise behind a home off Ladera Lane near Bella Vista Drive in Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday, December 14. Powerful Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions are fueling wildfires in Southern California in what has been a devastating year for such natural disasters in the state.
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Fire, smoke and ash from the Thomas Fire blanket Santa Barbara on Wednesday, December 13.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
Fire, smoke and ash from the Thomas Fire blanket Santa Barbara on Wednesday, December 13.
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A smoke-filled sky filters sunlight to orange around a surfer as the Thomas Fire continues to grow and threaten communities from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara on Tuesday, December 12, in Carpinteria, California.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
A smoke-filled sky filters sunlight to orange around a surfer as the Thomas Fire continues to grow and threaten communities from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara on Tuesday, December 12, in Carpinteria, California.
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People watch as firefighters battle flames in Carpinteria, California, on Monday, December 11.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
People watch as firefighters battle flames in Carpinteria, California, on Monday, December 11.
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As smoke obscures the sun, a Coulson C-130 air tanker turns to make a drop on a Carpinteria hillside on December 11.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
As smoke obscures the sun, a Coulson C-130 air tanker turns to make a drop on a Carpinteria hillside on December 11.
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As the Thomas Fire burns in the background, Dan Bellaart and his wife, Mary McEwen, comfort each other in their backyard in Montecito, California, on December 11.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
As the Thomas Fire burns in the background, Dan Bellaart and his wife, Mary McEwen, comfort each other in their backyard in Montecito, California, on December 11.
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The Thomas Fire burns in the mountains near Carpinteria on Sunday, December 10.
Photos: Wildfires spread in Southern California
The Thomas Fire burns in the mountains near Carpinteria on Sunday, December 10.
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Firefighters battle a wildfire as it advances on homes in Carpinteria on December 10.
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