The Thomas Fire grew over the weekend and is now among California's largest wildfires in history

Colin Atagi
Palm Springs Desert Sun
The 101 Highway after the Thomas Fire jumped the road towards the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura, California, December 7, 2017.

The Thomas Fire began Tuesday and quickly grew to more than 90,000 acres. It grew over the weekend and is now among the largest fires in California's history.

How does the number of acres burned in Ventura County compare it to other blazes up and down the Golden State?

Thomas Fire

The Thomas Fire started about 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 near highways 150 and 126, north of Santa Paula in Ventura County. As of Monday morning, it burned 230,500 acres and destroyed nearly 800 buildings.

Strong Santa Ana winds were blamed for pushing flames within a short amount of time and firefighters feared they would make it difficult to put out the blaze.

Firefighters work to extinguish the Thomas Fire as it burns past the 101 Highway towards the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura, California, December 7, 2017.

In Southern California, winds usually blow from west to east, which cools the region with moist air from the Pacific. It is why Angelenos can brag about their great weather.

Santa Ana winds, though, blow east to west from the desert, usually in the fall, causing hot and dry conditions along the coast. They can generate hurricane force winds that whip through Southern California cities, causing problems from fallen tree limbs to wildfires.

As of Monday, firefighters had contained 15 percent of the fire. There was no estimation on when the fire would be under control.

More:Southern California fires are destructive and unprecedented — and a sign of things to come

The worst of 2017

Napa County firefighter James George hoses down a fire line approaching a home Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif. Wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through Northern California sending resident on a headlong flight to safety through smoke and flames as homes burned. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

In October, multiple fires converged in Northern California's wine country. By the time firefighters had them under control, there were 42 fatalities and 8,000 lost homes and businesses. At least 160,000 acres were burned.

Fires have scorched approximately 1.2 million acres across California this year, according to Cal Fire statistics. That translates to about 1,875 square miles and is nearly the size of Delaware.

Here are some of the worst fires of the year.

  • Alamo Fire: Started July 6 and burned 28,687 acres in San Luis Obispo County. It's cause is under investigation.
  • Garza Fire: Started July 9 and burned 70,000 acres in Kings County. It was blamed on equipment use.
  • Long Valley Fire: Started July 11 and burned 83,733 acres in Lassen County. Its cause is under investigation.
  • Detwiler Fire: Started July 16 and burned 100,000 acres in Marisposa County. It was blamed on gunfire.
  • Modoc July Complex Fire: Started July 24 and burned 83,090 acres in Modoc County. Its cause is under investigation.
  • Salmon August Complex Fire: Started Aug. 13 and burned 65,889 acres in Siskiyou County. It's cause is under investigation.
  • Eclipse Complex Fire: Started Aug. 15 and burned 78,698 acres in Siskiyou County. It was caused by lightning.
  • Pier Fire: Started Aug. 29 and burned 36,556 acres in Tulare County. It was caused by humans.
  • Central LNU Complex Fire: Started Oct. 8 and burned 110,720 acres in Napa and Sonoma counties. 
  • Atlas Fire: Started Oct. 9 and burned 51,624 acres in Napa County. It's cause is under investigation.
  • Mendocino Lake Complex Fire: Started Oct. 9 and burned 38,730 acres in Mendocino County. Its cause is under investigation. 

The worst in California history

A Cal Fire firefighter monitors the Rim Fire as it burns through a grove of trees on Aug. 25, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire was contained after burning 257,314 acres, making it one of the three worst wildfires in California history.

Here are the three worst fires to happen since 1932 in California.

Cedar Fire: It burned 273,246 acres in San Diego County in 2003. It started Oct. 25 and lasted for 20 days.

Fifteen people died in the fire, including a firefighter. The fire destroyed about 2,820 buildings.

Authorities said the fire was human caused.

Rush Fire: It burned 271,911 acres in Lassen County and another 43,666 acres in Nevada. The Northern California blaze started Aug. 12, 2012 and was blamed on lightning. There were no injuries or damaged buildings. 

Rim Fire: It burned 257,314 acres in Tuolumne County. It started in Aug. 17 2013 and destroyed 112 buildings before being under control Oct. 24.

The cause of the fire involved humans.

More:California fires: Why is everything burning?