pAround 27,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes in Ventura County, California, on December 5, as a rapidly spreading brush fire grew to 31,000 acres and destroyed 150 structures, the Ventura County Fire Department saida.ppLocal media reporteda that one person had died as a result of the blaze, known as the Thomas Fire. The Ventura County Fire Department also saida one firefighter had also been injured in the blaze.ppThe Thomas Fire was first reported at around 6:25 pma and was said to be moving at a “rapid rate,” according to the Ventura County Fire Departmenta.ppStrong winds in the area, recorded at 43 mph with gusts over 60 mpha, fueled the fire.