Montecito, Home to Oprah Winfrey and Other Celebs, Threatened by California Wildfires

Santa Barbara County threatened by fifth-largest wildfire in modern California history

Oprah Winfrey

The homes of Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bridges and Rob Lowe are among those threatened by the Thomas Fire that has already burned over 230,000 acres.

It is now approaching the coastal town of Montecito. Winfrey, who has a house in Montecito, has tweeted about the fires threatening her community.

While firefighters have been able to contain other fires in Los Angeles County, including the Bel-Air fire which caused a shutdown of the 405 Freeway last week, a combination of strong winds, single-degree humidity, and a lack of rain has caused the Thomas Fire to become the fifth-largest in modern California history. Nearly a week after the fire ignited, fire teams from ten different states have only been able to reach 15 percent containment, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Other celebrities who own homes in the area include former tennis player Jimmy Connors, actors Patrick Stewart and Jeff Bridges, and former Vice President Al Gore. Actor Rob Lowe also lives in the area, and tweeted Sunday morning that he was preparing to evacuate.

The Thomas Fire spread by 50,000 acres on Sunday and has destroyed over 800 structures so far. At this pace, it is likely to set a new state record for the largest wildfire recorded, currently held by the Cedar Fire which burned 273,246 acres in San Diego County in 2003.

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