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California firefighter dies as Thomas blaze rages California firefighter dies as Thomas blaze rages
(about 1 hour later)
A California firefighter has been killed by a wildfire burning across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.A California firefighter has been killed by a wildfire burning across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said the firefighter was an engineer deployed to the Thomas Fire - one of several raging out of control across the state.The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said the firefighter was an engineer deployed to the Thomas Fire - one of several raging out of control across the state.
The blaze has grown to 242,500 acres (98,140 hectares), becoming the fourth-largest in California's history. The blaze has grown to 379 square miles (981 square kilometres), becoming the fourth-largest in California's history.
It has destroyed 900 properties, including 690 homes. It has destroyed more than 900 properties, including 729 homes.
Cal Fire did not give out any more detail about the death. Chief Ken Pimlott said in a tweet: "I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident. It also burned down two residential apartment blocks, two hotels and 18 other commercial properties as it scorched an area the size of New York and Paris combined.
Cal Fire did not give out any more details about the death. Chief Ken Pimlott said in a tweet: "I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident.
"Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers.""Please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers."
There were reports earlier in the day of a fire unit being overrun by the blaze near the town of Fillmore.There were reports earlier in the day of a fire unit being overrun by the blaze near the town of Fillmore.
Cal Fire said on Thursday morning that the Thomas blaze was 30% contained, up from 20% on Tuesday, but it continues to grow. Cal Fire said on Thursday that the Thomas blaze was 30% contained, up from 20% on Tuesday, but it continues to grow.
About 7,000 firefighters have been deployed to fight it, but steep slopes and rocky terrain have made it dangerous to tackle the flames. The agency said 8,144 firefighters were tackling the blaze, using 1,004 fire engines, 59 water tenders and 80 bulldozers. More than 30 helicopters and six air tankers are reportedly involved in the fight.
On any given day, several thousand of those firefighters, both male and female, are prisoners. According to local news station KPBS, they are paid $2 per day and and additional $1 per hour when they are actively fighting fires. Several thousand of those firefighters are prisoners. According to local news station KPBS, they are paid $2 per day and and additional $1 per hour when they are actively fighting fires.
Steep slopes and rocky terrain have made it dangerous to tackle the flames.
Efforts to combat the Thomas wildfire have already totalled more than $48 million (£36 million). Many local school districts have cancelled classes and will not reopen until after the new year.Efforts to combat the Thomas wildfire have already totalled more than $48 million (£36 million). Many local school districts have cancelled classes and will not reopen until after the new year.
The blaze - named according to where it started, near the Thomas Aquinas College - is by far the largest of six major fires alight in the state.The blaze - named according to where it started, near the Thomas Aquinas College - is by far the largest of six major fires alight in the state.
The Thomas fire shows no signs of letting up as gusts of wind up to 40mph (65km/h) and low humidity pose a continued challenge to firefighters.The Thomas fire shows no signs of letting up as gusts of wind up to 40mph (65km/h) and low humidity pose a continued challenge to firefighters.
'Fire is coming right at you'
By James Cook, Los Angeles Correspondent
Radio traffic between firefighters and their controllers on Thursday morning gave a glimpse of the terrifying reality of tackling this monster blaze.
"Fire is coming right at you," said one message as units in the Fillmore area on the far eastern edge of the wildfire were ordered to pull back.
The weather had apparently changed suddenly, posing a threat to the lives of the firefighters in the area.
There were reports of a Mayday call, a rescue helicopter was scrambled and controllers attempted to contact a firefighter who was said to be "down" in the area.
The confirmation that a fire engineer had died came quickly. The man's family have been told of his death.