In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, firefighters keep an eye on flames as pockets of unburned vegetation flare up off Bella Vista Dr. in Montecito, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. After announcing increased containment on the Thomas fire, one of the biggest wildfires in California history, officials Wednesday warned that communities remain at risk and the threat could increase as unpredictable winds whip up again. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Latest on California wildfires (all times local):
7:10 p.m.
The fifth-largest wildfire in California history is now 30 percent contained but still threatens coastal communities as gusty Santa Ana winds continue.
State fire officials predicted Wednesday night that the so-called Thomas Fire northwest of Los Angeles will continue to grow as it eats up parched brush and hot, dry weather continues.
The blaze still threatens Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito - a wealthy area that's home to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey.
Since the blaze erupted last week, it has burned down 921 buildings -including at least 700 homes. It threatens 18,000 buildings and has prompted evacuations of about 100,000 people.
The 238,500 acres burned translate to more than 372 square miles (965 square kilometers).
The National Weather Service is predicting red flag conditions of extreme fire danger in much of Southern California through Friday.
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5:30 a.m.
After announcing increased containment on one of the biggest wildfires in California history, officials say communities remain at risk and the threat could increase as unpredictable winds whip up again.
Red Flag warnings for fire danger due to Santa Ana winds and a critical lack of moisture have been extended, with a possible increase in gusts Thursday into Friday.
Evacuations continue for the seaside enclaves of Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria and the inland agricultural town of Fillmore.
Officials announced Tuesday night that crews had carved containment lines around one-quarter of the blaze straddling Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The so-called Thomas fire has burned over 900 structures, at least 700 of them homes. It stretches across nearly 370 square miles (958 sq. kilometers) of Southern California, making it the fifth largest in state history.
In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, an engine company from the city of Colton, Calif., operating under mutual aid, keeps watch on pockets of burning and unburned vegetation off Bella Vista Dr. in Montecito, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. After announcing increased containment on the Thomas fire, one of the biggest wildfires in California history, officials Wednesday warned that communities remain at risk and the threat could increase as unpredictable winds whip up again. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, a helicopter making a water drop run flies over an infinity pool behind a home off Bella Vista Dr. in Montecito, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. After announcing increased containment on the Thomas fire, one of the biggest wildfires in California history, officials Wednesday warned that communities remain at risk and the threat could increase as unpredictable winds whip up again. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, pockets of unburned vegetation flare up off Bella Vista Dr. in Montecito, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. After announcing increased containment on the Thomas fire, one of the biggest wildfires in California history, officials Wednesday warned that communities remain at risk and the threat could increase as unpredictable winds whip up again. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, a helicopter makes water drop near a house that was not on fire on a hill above Bella Vista Drive in Montecito, Calif., as the fight to contain a wildfire continues Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. The fifth-largest wildfire in California history expanded Tuesday, ripping through dry brush atop a coastal ridge while crews struggled to keep flames from roaring down into neighborhoods amid fears of renewed winds. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, fire burns canyons and ridges above Bella Vista Drive near Romero Canyon as the fight to contain a wildfire continues in Montecito, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. The fifth-largest wildfire in California history expanded Tuesday, ripping through dry brush atop a coastal ridge while crews struggled to keep flames from roaring down into neighborhoods amid fears of renewed winds. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, a Cal Fire firefighter looks over a map from the back of his truck parked off Bella Vista Drive above Montecito, Calif., as the fight against a wildfire continues Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. The fifth-largest wildfire in California history expanded Tuesday, ripping through dry brush atop a coastal ridge while crews struggled to keep flames from roaring down into neighborhoods amid fears of renewed winds. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, flames erupt on the hillside above Bella Vista Drive in Montecito, Calif., as the fight to contain a wildfire continues Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. The fifth-largest wildfire in California history expanded Tuesday, ripping through dry brush atop a coastal ridge while crews struggled to keep flames from roaring down into neighborhoods amid fears of renewed winds. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
The Associated Press