Thomas Fire was a massive wildfire that affected Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties , and one of multiple wildfires that ignited in southern California in December 2017 . It burned approximately before being fully contained on January 12 , 2018 , making it the largest wildfire in modern California history at the time , being surpassed by the Ranch Fire , part of the Mendocino Complex , less than a year later in August 2018 . The Thomas Fire destroyed at least 1,063 structures , while damaging 280 others ; and the fire caused over $ 2.2 billion ( 2018 USD ) in damages , including $ 230 million in suppression costs , becoming the seventh-most destructive wildfire in state history . As of August 2018 , the Thomas Fire is California 's eighth-most destructive wildfire . Ventura 's agriculture industry suffered at least $ 171 million in losses due to the Thomas Fire
multiple wildfires
December 2017 Southern California wildfires
Thomas Fire