Firefighters continue to make gains on Valley fire

Lake County residents who fled the Valley fire as it exploded across Cobb Mountain two weeks ago were allowed to return to their homes Saturday evening - or, in many cases, the sites where their homes once stood.

There was a backup reported as the roads reopened at 5 p.m., allowing access to the remote, rural hillside neighborhoods that were among the hardest hit by the fast-moving blaze, which broke out in Cobb and ultimately destroyed 1,280 single-family homes and 27 multi-family structures, as well as hundreds of other buildings.

Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown said a small number of evacuees would finally learn if their homes are still habitable, though a large number had received word through public safety personnel and others allowed into the area earlier. With the fire now 95 percent contained, residents of Cobb were the last to regain entry.

Officials said the county will bring portable toilets to areas still without water service, while other groups will bring bottled water.

More than 1,600 firefighters were still reinforcing fire lines and mopping up hot spots on Saturday evening, Cal Fire said.

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