SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters held the Valley fire to no growth in acreage on Thursday, as more firefighters and resources joined the effort.
The fire remained at 73,700 acres on Thursday night, the end of its fifth day, with containment also unchanged at 35 percent.
The number of homes destroyed that have been counted so far remained at 585 on Thursday, with the number threatened down to 7,473.
Cal Fire said fire crews made good progress on Thursday, constructing and improving control lines.
While smoke could be seen from burning interior islands, it was well within the fire's perimeter, Cal Fire said.
After rain on Wednesday, firefighters encountered warmer temperatures on Thursday. The forecast calls for temperatures near the century mark this weekend.
On Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Brian Martin said residents in and around the community of Berryessa Estates were allowed to return to their homes.
As a result of the lifting of that mandatory evacuation order, the closure at Butts Canyon Road at Aetna Springs Road was opened and moved north to Butts Canyon Road and Snell Valley Road. New closures were established at the entrance of Aetna Springs Road and the entrance of James Creek Road.
Mandatory evacuations remaining in effect in Lake County cover Butts Canyon Road to the Napa County line, Cobb, Seigler Canyon, Loch Lomond, Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, all residences on Bottle Rock Road from Harrington Flat Road, all residences on SR 175/Cobb, all residences on Highway 29 at Highway 53 south to Highway 29 at Tubbs Lane in Calistoga, officials said.
Cal Fire said the cancellation of additional evacuation orders are being evaluated based on a variety of factors, including potential fire behavior and reestablishment of critical infrastructure.
Martin said authorities were working to make sure residents would be safe before allowing them to return home, adding that they are working to get community members back to their homes as soon as possible.
By day's end, more firefighters had joined the effort to contain the fire. Approximately 3,921 firefighters and 84 fire crews were assigned by Thursday night, along with a fleet of 441 engines, 72 dozers, 70 water tenders, 18 helicopters and two air tankers.
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No change in Valley fire growth Thursday
- Elizabeth Larson
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