Authorities lifted all evacuation orders in Santa Barbara County on Thursday morning as fire crews continued to slow the spread of the massive Thomas fire.
Gusty winds continued to wash over Southern California but had little effect on the efforts of firefighters' efforts to contain the massive Thomas fire burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The fire, which grew 200 acres overnight, now covers 272,200 acres and is 60 percent contained, fire officials said.
There was "no significant increase in fire activity" in Santa Barbara, said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Bill Murphy.
Firefighters are focusing on the north side of the blaze near the Highway 33 corridor near Hartman Ranch and the Bear Haven area.
Depending on wind and weather conditions, firefighters plan to start a controlled burn near the highway with hopes that winds from the north will push the flames away from the highway and south toward the main body of the Thomas fire.
"Things are looking very good," Murphy said.
A red flag warning remains in effect through the afternoon in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, meaning conditions are ripe for a fire to spread rapidly.
Northerly winds could reach up to 60 mph in the mountains and foothills of both counties.
Winds in the Hollywood Hills were 15-20 mph Thursday morning, with gusts up to 40 mph, said National Weather Service meteorologist David Sweet.
Sweet said that there should not be another wind event for the next week and that the high in Los Angeles is set for 75 degrees on Christmas Day.
"I think Santa Claus will have to arrive by surfboard," he said.
