As of Friday evening, the Thomas Fire has become the largest wildfire in recorded history in California, growing to 273,400 acres.
It surpassed the Cedar Fire in 2003, which burned 273,246 acres in San Diego County.
According to CalFire the Thomas Fire, burning in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, has already destroyed 1,063 structures, damaged 280, and still threatens 18,000 structures.
Estimated costs as of Thursday morning were at least $167 million.
❗️NEW VIDEO❗️
Wildfires continue to grow in Southern California. Here is amazing footage of a 'firenado' over the #ThomasFire. Turbulent winds interact with intense heat rising over the wildfire and this interaction creates a whirlwind, very similar to a dust devil. pic.twitter.com/77h7Xo1AFz— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) December 7, 2017
For WeatherNation, I’m Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo