Containment of the Applegate Fire continued to grow Saturday.
Cal Fire said Saturday evening that the fire was 67 percent contained, and that flames had spread 459 acres since starting Thursday afternoon.
Many homeowners were allowed to return Saturday. The only areas still under a mandatory evacuation order were places east of the railroad tracks between Applegate Road and Paoli Lane within the burn area.
Other areas previously under mandatory evacuation orders were put under an evacuation warning.
Many residents, like Rhonda Rajofera, have been able to return. Thankfully for Rajofera, her home was spared.
"I started seeing flames, and I said, 'I think we better leave,'" she told FOX40.
A few others weren't so lucky. According to Cal Fire, six homes have burned.
Firefighters have been able to effectively battle the flames thanks in part to favorable weather. Winds have died down significantly.
"We're doing a mop up phase at this point in time," Cal Fire spokesperson Kevin Lucero said. "Essentially, we're looking for all the hot spots in the fire perimeter itself."
