Cooler Weather Helping Firefighters Get Handle On Butte Fire

JACKSON (CBS13) — The Butte Fire has burned for nearly a week, but cooler weather is once again giving firefighters a chance to gain ground.

The fire has burned more than 71,000 acres and is 40 percent contained. It has burned 233 homes and 175 outbuildings.

The fire broke out nearly a week ago east of Jackson.

"I've been praying, and I've been crying, and I've been praying," said Sos Romero.

The fire surrounded Romero's home, but didn't touch it.

"It came back around, and then it started back over here again, and then it went over to me," he said.

Despite mandatory evacuation orders in his Railroad Flat community of Calaveras County, he has stayed and has witnessed its destruction.

One driveway down, fire has leveled his neighbor's home. There's not much to make out here now. Aside from the brick chimney and a burned basketball hoop.

Roads in and out of this Calaveras County community are blocked off. If you leave you can't drive back in.

Heidi Adams was stuck outside the firelines and walked back to her West Point home to make sure her dog was OK.

"I thought he was gonna burn up, so I walked eight miles," she said.

Soon everyone will be back to see firsthand if they are among those whose homes are lost.