LOS ANGELES, Dec. 07, 2017 -- The Thomas fire that has engulfed southern California's Santa Barbara coastal towns and hillside communities of Ventura county threaten to intensify today because of a pick up in strong Santa Ana winds. Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency and 50,000 people have been evacuated to escape a blaze that has ravaged 90,000 acres including a hospital and an estimated potential loss of 12,000 homes.