A firefighter takes a cellphone picture Saturday during a wildfire in Montecito, Calif. The Thomas Fire is now the third-largest in California history. L.A. Times: "Although an epic firefight Saturday was largely a success, preventing the mammoth Thomas fire from sweeping into whole neighborhoods in Montecito and Santa Barbara, some expensive homes were lost in this affluent coastal community known for its celebrity residents."

What to watch: "Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority estimated that firefighters won't have full containment of the blaze until Jan 7."