The Thomas Fire, which has devastated over 270,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and destroyed hundreds of homes since it sparked to life on December 4, turns out to have been born a two-headed monster.
Wildfire first broke out in the Santa Paula Canyon area during high winds, not far from Thomas Aquinas College, at 6:26 p.m. Monday evening, according to the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD). The cause of that fire is under investigation by Cal Fire, the VCFD, and other authorities.
Also under investigation is a second fire that broke out in Upper Ojai, about four miles away, at the top of Koenigstein Road, about half an hour later on that fateful night. Cal Fire spokesperson Steve Kaufman confirmed that the Thomas Fire had two origins but could not discuss details regarding locations or causes of the fire pending an investigation.