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California wire crews make progress ahead of wind increase

In this photo released by Santa Barbara County Fire Department, a dozer from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department clears a fire break across a canyon from atop Camino Cielo down to Gibraltar to make a stand should the fire move in that direction, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in the Santa Ynez Mountains area of Santa Barbara, Calif. State fire officials predicted Wednesday night that the Thomas Fire northwest of Los Angeles will continue to grow as it eats up parched brush and hot, dry weather continues. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) The Associated Press

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

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 released by Santa Barbara County Fire Department, a dozer is used to carry rolls of fire hose across a canyon from atop Camino Cielo down to Gibraltar to make a stand should the fire move that direction, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in the Santa Ynez Mountains area of Santa Barbara, Calif. Southern California firefighters contained part of the Thomas fire, the fifth-largest wildfire in the state's history but warned coastal communities Wednesday that they're still at risk if unpredictable winds whip up again and fan the flames. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) The Associated Press

This photo released by Santa Barbara County Fire Department shows firemen in the process of clearing a fire break and laying ten thousand feet of hose across a canyon from atop Camino Cielo down to Gibraltar to make a stand should the fire move in that direction Wednesday Dec. 13, 2017, in the Santa Ynez Mountains area of Santa Barbara, Calif. Southern California firefighters contained part of the Thomas fire, the fifth-largest wildfire in the state's history but warned coastal communities Wednesday that they're still at risk if unpredictable winds whip up again and fan the flames. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP) The Associated Press

Posted December 14, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - As containment inched up on one of the largest wildfires in California history, officials warned Thursday that the battle was far from over as hot, gusty winds were expected to fan flames again.

The blaze northwest of Los Angeles was about a third contained and authorities said the risk to the inland agricultural city of Fillmore was diminishing. But coastal enclaves to the west remained under threat as crews protected hillside homes in Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria.

The National Weather Service said extreme fire danger conditions could last through the weekend due to lack of moisture along with a likely increase in wind speeds. Gusts were expected to top 35 mph (56 kph) by midday Thursday.

Firefighters made progress Wednesday on corralling the so-called Thomas Fire, which continued to spread mostly into national forest land.

Since the blaze broke out on Dec. 4, it has burned more than 372 square miles (965 square kilometers) and destroyed 921 buildings - including at least 700 homes. Flames threaten some 18,000 buildings and prompted evacuations of about 100,000 people. Covering as much ground as the city of San Diego, it is the fifth-largest wildfire in California history.

To the south in San Diego County, firefighters came very close to containing another major wildfire a week after it broke out.

That fire burned down 157 structures, most in its destructive first hours. It also killed 46 race horses at a training center, and left one of their trainers with serious burns.

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For complete coverage of the California wildfires, click here: https://apnews.com/tag/Wildfires.

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