Thomas fire in Ventura burns 140 square miles, 101 Freeway closed for several hours

Motorists on Highway 101 watch flames from the Thomas fire leap above the roadway north of Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. As many as five fires have closed highways, schools and museums, shut down production of TV series and cast a hazardous haze over the region. About 200,000 people were under evacuation orders. No deaths and only a few injuries were reported. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)Flames from the Thomas fire burn above traffic on Highway 101 north of Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday