Some Applegate Fire Evacuees Return Home To Find Homes Untouched
APPLEGATE (CBS13) - Firefighters have gained the upper hand on the Applegate Fire, but dangerous weather conditions are pushing in tonight. There's a red flag warning, which could cause the flames to intensify.
CAL FIRE says the Applegate Fire has burned 459 acres and destroyed six homes, and four outbuildings. It's 67 percent contained tonight.
Some families still can't go home, but others returned today and CBS13 went with them to see what they'd find.
The Applegate fire did not take little Carter's home.
Mandatory evacuations for many areas were lifted. Families like the Prices were able to come home for the first time in days and unpack their lives.
"It is nice to be home. It's tiring. Four people living out of a paper bag basically," said Misty Price.
Down the street it's the site of normalcy. But what's not normal is a basketball game pausing halfway through to thank the firefighters who saved their home.
"God bless them and God bless their families for what they've been doing here," said Kegan Chorley, a resident.
The Chorleys were forced to leave the day the fire broke out. They're relieved to see the home their dad built by hand, still standing.
"Yeah it was scary. He spent a lot of time on this and he did it kind of alone so…a lot of memories in the house for five years," said Tage.
And for another family the flames got to close for comfort.
"I started to see flames through the trees over there, and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh.' we better get out of here," said Rhonda Rajaofera, and evacuee.
Unfortunately not everyone is coming back to a home. There was devastation throughout the Sun Valley neighborhood. No lives have been lost as a result of the fire.
In total, six homes were destroyed by the fire, fire officials report.
