Humboldt County evacuation order lifted as crews gain on wildfire

ORLEANS - Authorities are allowing residents around a wildfire in the Six Rivers National Forest in Northern California to return to their homes, as crews made progress battling the blaze overnight.

An evacuation order for about 50 homes around the Humboldt County community of Orleans was lifted at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The Dance Fire, which began on Monday evening, has consumed a little more than one square mile in the area and destroyed one home and two outbuildings. It is 60 percent contained.

Fire officials say crews conducted successful burn out operations overnight that helped secure the north and northwestern edges of the fire.

Crews now plan to focus on strengthening fire line in the east, where steep terrain has made fighting the blaze harder.