<p>Powerful Santa Ana winds whipped the Thomas fire over Route 101 north of Ventura, California, on December 7, forcing officials to close the thoroughfare.</p><p>The closure left no open routes</a> between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties early Thursday morning until the freeway was reopened at about 7am. Powerful winds caused the rapid fire growth but could diminish into the weekend</a>. Credit: YouTube/Max Rosenberg via Storyful</p><br />
