 On December 13, the Thomas Fire's expansion slowed on its west flank, as it reached the burn area of the from 2007.However, the Thomas Fire's northwestern and southwestern flanks merged on the western shore of Lake Casitas, completely encircling the lake and the Ojai area.Firefighters have expected the fire's growth to be disrupted if it reaches the burn scars of other previous fires to the west within the last 10 years