The massive Thomas brush fire has surpassed the quarter million acre mark of land burned in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
The fire has burned 252,000 acres, and is 35% contained. The wind dropped in much of the fire zone Friday morning, but increased winds are in the forecast for the weekend, creating new concerns for firefighters.
The fire flared up northwest of Fillmore Thursday night and Friday morning, threatening a number of ranches, and homes near Grand Avenue. Firefighters stepped in protect the threatened structures. More than 8300 firefighters are now involved in the battle effort which now stretches from the Fillmore and Santa Paula areas northwest to the Santa Ynez Valley.
