A flare - up on the western edge of Southern California 's largest and most destructive wildfire sent residents fleeing Sunday , as wind - driven flames swept through canyons and down hillsides toward coastal towns . The so - called Thomas Fire is only 15 percent contained , now threatening the city of Santa Barbara and the nearby coastal town of Carpinteria , and is on track to become one of the worst wildfires in California history . It has already destroyed 583 structures and burned 173,000 acres , the authorities say . The so-called Thomas Fire is only 15 percent contained, now threatening the city of Santa Barbara and the nearby coastal town of Carpinteria, and is on track to become one of the worst wildfires in California history. New evacuations were ordered in Ventura , which been under fire threat for days . The new evacuation zone extends within two miles of the Santa Barbara Zoo . Zoo Director Nancy Thomas said in a statement that there was ' no immediate danger ' from the fire and that the zoo was closed with all animals inside to shelter from smoke .
A flare - up on the western edge of Southern California 's largest and most destructive wildfire sent residents fleeing Sunday , as wind - driven flames swept through canyons and down hillsides toward coastal towns . The so - called Thomas Fire is only 15 percent contained , now threatening the city of Santa Barbara and the nearby coastal town of Carpinteria , and is on track to become one of the worst wildfires in California history . It has already destroyed 583 structures and burned 173,000 acres , the authorities say . New evacuations were ordered in Ventura , which been under fire threat for days . The new evacuation zone extends within two miles of the Santa Barbara Zoo . Zoo Director Nancy Thomas said in a statement that there was ' no immediate danger ' from the fire and that the zoo was closed with all animals inside to shelter from smoke .