50,000 acres scorched as Thomas Fire rages in Ventura

Updated: 3:45 am

About 27,000 people have been evacuated in Ventura as the Thomas Fire continues to spread. High winds have helped the fire move quickly across more than 45,000 acres, destroying 150 structures.

Gov. Brown has declared a state of emergency. “This fire is very dangerous and spreading rapidly, but we’ll continue to attack it with all we’ve got,” he said in a statement. “It’s critical residents stay ready and evacuate immediately if told to do so.”

The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, which currently has 500-600 evacuees on site. Shelter manager Nancy Jenkins told KCRW that people are still coming. “This was significantly larger than any shelter we’ve had in the last couple of years.”

At the shelter, Letha Harrison, a caretaker who evacuated along with the elderly couple she cares for, described the night: “Ashes were blowing everywhere, embers, the smoke was extremely thick.”

“I’m scared,” she said, fearing for her home.

There are also two other fires burning in Southern California: The Creek Fire, which has spread to 4,000 acres; and the Rye Fire.

Go here for live updates from the LA Times.

#ThomasFire – mandatory evacuations ordered for East Ventura, north of foothill Road. The rapid rate of spread will push this fire into that area within a few hours. pic.twitter.com/wfYwI2S8vu

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 5, 2017

Most up to date fire perimeter map of the #ThomasFire posted during the a.m. operational briefing happening now! @VCFD#VCFDpic.twitter.com/0lxxgvctX4

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 5, 2017

The Thomas fire in Ventura has grown to 45,000 acres. There’s a high possibility that even more evacuations could take place.

Live updates: https://t.co/J30cNxYQ6Fpic.twitter.com/IQEbYpNkMN

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) December 5, 2017

Please get to safety. #ThomasFirepic.twitter.com/8lZOddSHvS

— Marcus Yam (@yamphoto) December 5, 2017