By Patric Hedlund, TME

For the first time since it started on December 4, the Thomas fire finally stopped growing on Wednesday, Dec. 20. [NOTE: After this went to press in the printed issue, the fire began growing again, to become the largest fire in California history by Decemer 22, 2017.]

The second largest fire in California’s history is at 272,000 acres as we go to press. The good news is that it is now at 60% containment, firefighters report, although high winds are…(please see below to view full stories and photographs)

Photo captions:

Smoke from the Thomas fire rose over the ridges to the west of Lockwood Valley as it devoured homes and businesses in Ventura and Ojai this month.

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This is part of the December 22, 2017 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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