PHELAN, Calif. (AP) – Crews made huge gains against a massive wildfire in Southern California as residents anxiously awaited word that they can return to mountain communities where at least 96 homes were destroyed.
The blaze was 68 percent contained on Saturday and firefighters were transitioning to mop-up phase, according to fire spokesman Brad Pitassi.
“Things are extremely positive. We’re checking for additional hot spots that could potentially jump the line,” said Pitassi, adding that officials expect more progress and more residents returning home throughout the weekend.
Pitassi estimated that about 7,000 people remained under mandatory evacuation orders, mostly around the areas of Wrightwood and Lytle Creek. The majority of those evacuated were allowed to return Friday evening. At the height of the fire, some 82,000 people were under evacuation orders.
A preliminary assessment found 96 homes and 213 outbuildings were destroyed by the blaze, most of them in its first fierce days on Tuesday and Wednesday.