Strong surface high pressure building in the Great Basin generated strong and gusty Santa Ana winds across sections of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. North to northeast wind gusts up to 73 MPH were reported. During this event, the Thomas Fire ignited across Ventura county, eventually spreading into Santa Barbara county.

High Wind in LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 23:53:00 to 05-DEC-17 05:53:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Strong north to northeast winds were reported across the mountains of Los Angeles county. Some reports from local RAWS sensors include: Camp Nine (Gust 73 MPH), Warm Springs (Gust 68 MPH) and Chilao (Gust 72 MPH).

High Wind in VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 23:53:00 to 05-DEC-17 05:53:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong north to northeast winds were reported across the mountains of Ventura county. Wind gusts up to 70 MPH were reported.

High Wind in SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATION AREA, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 18:56:00 to 05-DEC-17 06:12:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Strong north to northeast winds were reported across the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles county. The RAWS sensor at Malibu Hills reported north to northeast wind gusts up to 71 MPH.

High Wind in VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 17:57:00 to 05-DEC-17 05:49:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Strong north to northeast winds were reported across the coastal valleys of Ventura county. Some wind reports from local RAWS sensors include: South Mountain (Gust 68 MPH) and Wiley Ridge (Gust 71 MPH).

High Wind in LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 05-DEC-17 05:54:00 to 05-DEC-17 07:54:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong north to northeast winds were reported across the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles county. In Granada Hills, northeast wind gusts up to 66 MPH were reported.

High Wind in SANTA CLARITA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 09:56:00 to 05-DEC-17 14:56:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Strong north to northeast winds were reported across the Santa Clarita Valley in Los
Angeles county. The RAWS sensor at Newhall Pass reported north to northeast winds gusting up to 60 MPH.

Wildfire in VENTURA COUNTY COAST, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 06:28:00 to 31-DEC-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Thomas Fire ignited in early December in the coastal valleys of Ventura county, near Thomas Aquinas College. At the time of ignition, fuel conditions were at record dry levels for early December. The combination of gusty Santa Ana winds and the dry fuel conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly across sections of Ventura county. The fire eventually moved into southern Santa Barbara county. The fire was not officially contained until early January 2018. In all, the Thomas Fire burned 281,893 acres, making it the largest recorded fire in the state of California. During the height of the fire, one firefighter died when he was burned over.

Wildfire in VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 06:28:00 to 31-DEC-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Thomas Fire ignited in early December in the coastal valleys of Ventura county, near Thomas Aquinas College. At the time of ignition, fuel conditions were at record dry levels for early December. The combination of gusty Santa Ana winds and the dry fuel conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly across sections of Ventura county. The fire eventually moved into southern Santa Barbara county. The fire was not officially contained until early January 2018. In all, the Thomas Fire burned 281,893 acres, making it the largest recorded fire in the state of California. During the height of the fire, one firefighter died when he was burned over.

Wildfire in VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 06:28:00 to 31-DEC-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Thomas Fire ignited in early December in the coastal valleys of Ventura county, near Thomas Aquinas College. At the time of ignition, fuel conditions were at record dry levels for early December. The combination of gusty Santa Ana winds and the dry fuel conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly across sections of Ventura county. The fire eventually moved into southern Santa Barbara county. The fire was not officially contained until early January 2018. In all, the Thomas Fire burned 281,893 acres, making it the largest recorded fire in the state of California. During the height of the fire, one firefighter died when he was burned over.

Wildfire in SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 06:28:00 to 31-DEC-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Thomas Fire ignited in early December in the coastal valleys of Ventura county, near Thomas Aquinas College. At the time of ignition, fuel conditions were at record dry levels for early December. The combination of gusty Santa Ana winds and the dry fuel conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly across sections of Ventura county. The fire eventually moved into southern Santa Barbara county. The fire was not officially contained until early January 2018. In all, the Thomas Fire burned 281,893 acres, making it the largest recorded fire in the state of California. During the height of the fire, one firefighter died when he was burned over.

Wildfire in SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH COAST, CALIFORNIA
From 04-DEC-17 06:28:00 to 31-DEC-17 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Thomas Fire ignited in early December in the coastal valleys of Ventura county, near Thomas Aquinas College. At the time of ignition, fuel conditions were at record dry levels for early December. The combination of gusty Santa Ana winds and the dry fuel conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly across sections of Ventura county. The fire eventually moved into southern Santa Barbara county. The fire was not officially contained until early January 2018. In all, the Thomas Fire burned 281,893 acres, making it the largest recorded fire in the state of California. During the height of the fire, one firefighter died when he was burned over.