The Thomas Fire, at 40% containment as of this morning, has grown to 259,000 acres, making it the third largest wildfire in modern (since 1932) history. The 2nd largest fire in California history was the Rush Fire in Lassen County in 2012, which burned 271,911 acres in that northeastern county of California, plus another 43,666 acres in Nevada.

Today the fire is threatening much of Santa Barbara. Mandatory evacuation orders are currently (as of 11:30 am) in place for all areas east of Highway 154, south of East Camino Cielo, west of Toro Canyon and north of Hightway 101 at Toro Canyon to South Salinas, then north of Alameda Padre Serra and to Highway 192 west to 154.

A total off 746 single family residences have been destroyed in the Thomas Fire and another 185 have been damaged. Another 263 structures, including several multi-family residences, have been destroyed.

Thomas Fire updates in Santa Barbara County at www.countyofsb.org/thomasfire.sbc.

Ventura County Thomas Fire updates at readyventuracounty.org.