2017Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Thomas Fire
Status as of June 15, 2026, per Southern California Edison
Affected areasVenturaOjaiSanta PaulaSanta BarbaraCarpinteriaMontecito
Photo: Robertson & Associates, Used with permission of Robertson & Associates, source
| Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Start date | 2017-12-04 |
| Containment date | 2018-01-12 |
| Region / counties | Ventura, Santa Barbara |
| Acreage | 281,893 |
| Structures destroyed | 1,063 |
| Structures damaged | 280 |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Cause status | confirmed |
| Cause category | powerline |
| Officially determined arson | No / not determined |
| Responsible party | Southern California Edison |
| Last verified | 2026-06-15 |
Cause
Investigators concluded the Thomas Fire was caused by electrical utility power lines coming into contact during high winds. The fire burned for weeks across two counties and was later followed by deadly debris flows in the Montecito area.
What happened
Pushed by strong Santa Ana winds, the Thomas Fire spread across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, forcing extensive evacuations and ranking among the largest California wildfires of its era.
Litigation status
Litigation filed. Status as of June 15, 2026, per Southern California Edison.
Litigation over the Thomas Fire centered on Southern California Edison, with investigators having tied the fire to utility power lines; related claims also arose from the Montecito debris flows that followed. The cases were handled in coordinated proceedings. This entry confirms only that litigation exists on the public record as of the status date and does not characterize its merits or any person’s eligibility. Robertson & Associates served on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flow litigation, representing roughly 700 victims (per Robertson & Associates).
Litigation was filed against the regional electric utility in connection with the Thomas Fire. This entry reports only the existence of litigation in the public record as of the status date.
Court & regulatory record
- Robertson & Associates, Thomas Fire case page , Robertson & Associates, LLP
This is a reported public-record status, not advice about any individual's legal situation. Deadlines and eligibility change over time and depend on facts specific to each person, only a licensed attorney can assess yours.
Common questions about the Thomas Fire
What caused the Thomas Fire?
Investigators concluded the Thomas Fire was caused by electrical utility power lines coming into contact during high winds. The fire burned for weeks across two counties and was later followed by deadly debris flows in the Montecito area.
Is there litigation over the Thomas Fire?
Litigation filed. Status as of June 15, 2026, per Southern California Edison. Robertson & Associates is representing people affected by this fire.
What areas did the Thomas Fire affect?
The Thomas Fire (Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) affected communities including Ventura, Ojai, Santa Paula, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Montecito.
How large was the Thomas Fire?
281,893 acres, 1,063 structures destroyed, 2 fatalities, per public records as of 2026-06-15.
Sources
- CAL FIRE Incident Statistics, Top 20 Largest California Wildfires, CAL FIRE
- CAL FIRE Incidents archive, CAL FIRE
Facts on this page are drawn from the public sources listed above and rewritten in original words. Figures marked AUTO-updatable are refreshed from government incident data; see Sources & Methodology.