California wildfires

Deadly mudslides occured in Santa Barbara County, Calif., after heavy rain pushed debris down fire-scarred hillsides. If it rains again, more debris could be swept down the mountains.

Thirteen people have been killed in Santa Barbara County, according to the fire department. The rain is causing mudslides on hills stripped by massive wildfires, and authorities are warning of floods.

As the year draws to a close and the news cycle continues to reset every day, let's pause and revisit some of the most important news events from 2017.

As California battles raging wildfires, "containment" is a term used often by firefighters and in media coverage. But how does it work?

The fire was again jolted by high winds, prompting a slew of voluntary evacuation orders in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

The Thomas Fire in Southern California is on it's way to being the largest in the state's history. Fourteen days in, the flames continue to burn in bone dry, windy conditions. It's burning above the wealthy areas of Santa Barbara County, it's only 40 percent contained and will likely burn for days to come.

Grapes exposed to smoke from wildfires can absorb compounds that carry over into wine and ruin the flavor. The problem is only expected to grow as extreme weather events become more frequent.

The wildfire has burned through 237,500 acres and destroyed more than 700 homes.

Firefighters made some progress controlling the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, which is the fifth-largest in the state's history. Other fires in the area are mostly contained.

After losing some ground to the massive Thomas Fire north of Los Angeles over the weekend, firefighters on Monday managed to bring it to 20 percent containment.

The blaze raging in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties covers more ground than New York City. And as other, smaller fires are reined in, weather forecasts portend the Thomas Fire will spread.

The Santa Ana winds gave firefighters a small reprieve but were expected to pick up once again. Air quality was at hazardous levels in some areas.