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Residents protect homes, pack provisions in fire-ravaged California

Wednesday, 13 December 2017 2:35 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 13 December 2017 2:35 AM ]

Flames from the Thomas Fire burn in the hills above Carpinteria, California, December 11, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Hundreds of buildings and homes have been destroyed as a massive wildfire torched Southern California.

But there have also been survivor's stories. Mary McEwen and Dan Bellaart set up sprinkler systems around their house in Montecito, California which withstood the fires.

But the wall of flames of the Thomas Fire on Tuesday afternoon were about 200 yards (183 meters) away from and inching closer to expensive mansions in Montecito, one of the richest communities in the United States.

The Thomas Fire, which broke out on Dec. 4 near the community of Ojai, has since spread 27 miles (43 km) to become the fifth largest blaze in state history. It has blackened more than 366 square miles (948 square kilometers) in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, an area larger than New York City.

Officials said that while the conflagration charred another 2,500 acres overnight, a break in the hot, dry Santa Ana winds on Tuesday sapped its forward momentum and allowed crews to prevent further damage to homes.

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