Firefighters are continuing efforts on Christmas Eve to try to get full containment of the 273,000 acre Thomas brush fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Containment is at 70%. U.S. Forest Service officials had reported containment at 78% yesterday, but they say that was a mistake, and the number was actually 70%.
Firefighters say the fire line from Ventura to Santa Barbara is contained and secure. They are focused on expanding the established containment lines, noting that there is still critically dry brush in the region which hasn't burned.
Some smoke from the north edge of the fire, deep in the Los Padres National Forest has been visible during the last few days, but officials say it is within containment lines.
