The Thomas Fire has claimed the life of a firefighter from San Diego as the blaze continues to move east toward the Santa Clarita Valley — causing evacuations in Fillmore, according to officials.

The brush fire killed a CAL Fire engineer Thursday, officials confirmed. The firefighter was working among thousands to stop the fire, which has grown to over 242,000 acres.

“I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident,” Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said in a news release.

“More details will be made available as they are confirmed,” the statement said. “In the meantime, please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers (and) all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions.”

The San Diego firefighter is the second death attributed to the blaze, after an 70-year-old woman died trying to evacuate in Santa Paula, according to officials.

The Thomas Fire has caused evacuations throughout Ventura County, including orders in Fillmore about 25 miles from Santa Clarita.

The mandatory evacuations announced Thursday morning include: Hall Road to the west, Sespe Creek to the east, the Los Padres National Forest boundary to the north, and the Fillmore City limits to the south, said Ventura County Sheriff’s officials.

A Red Flag warning is still in effect until 10 a.m. Friday, with winds of 10-15 MPH blowing with gusts of up to 25 MPH expected, said Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The winds are pushing the fire east and northeast, through Fillmore and toward the Santa Clarita Valley area.

The brush fire is at 30 percent containment after burning for 11 days, scorching from Ojai up to Santa Barbara, according to fire officials.

The Thomas Fire is now considered the fourth biggest fire in California history, as the blaze continues to be fueled by record-setting Santa Ana winds.

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