SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Saturday command of the two-week-old Valley fire was transitioned to new leadership and the roads through Cobb – closed to the public since the fire began – were reopened.
Firefighters raised containment to 95 percent on the 76,067-acre fire, officials reported.
On Saturday, Cal Fire Incident Management Team 3 issued its final report on the incident, transitioning command of the fire to the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit of Cal Fire.
Officials estimate that the fire, which began Sept. 12 in Cobb, will be fully contained by Oct. 5.
Approximately 1,668 personnel, 101 engines, 47 hand crews, 16 dozers, 14 water tenders and three helicopters remained assigned to the incident on Saturday, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said firefighters are continuing to do mop up and rehabilitation of the landscape.
At 5 p.m., authorities lifted all traffic restrictions denying access into the community of Cobb.
The California Highway Patrol reported Saturday evening that traffic was flowing smoothly through the area as the roads reopened.
Sheriff Brian Martin had cautioned Friday that the lifting of traffic restrictions shouldn't be considered a repopulation, as many people wouldn't be able to return home for a long time because of the amount of destruction.
Martin has estimated more than 3,600 people have been displaced due to the destructive path of the fire, which burned 1,958 structures – including 1,280 homes – and has killed four people.
The fire is the third most damage in California's history, according to Cal Fire.
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Valley fire containment reaches 95 percent; Cobb road restrictions lifted
- Elizabeth Larson
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