Residents are making their way home after being evacuated because of the Dog Head Fire. Some people found their property destroyed, while others were lucky.
The fire started Saturday, and has scorched about 17,912 acres. About two dozen homes have been burned.
On Wednesday, on the west side of the fire, firefighters rehabilitated the dozer line, conducted chipping operations, continued mop-up and patrolled.
On the northeast side, crews dropped 2,000 gallons of retardant to assist firefighters on the ground in isolated pockets of heat.
Minimal fire behavior was observed Wednesday. Stumps and large-diameter logs within the fires perimeter continue to smolder.
Officials said dry, warm conditions continued, cloud cover increased through the day and thunderstorms developed in the area with lightning.
Conditions are beginning to fluctuate as monsoon season approaches, and an increase in thunderstorms across the fire area on Thursday is predicted. There are several crews assigned to the fire identified as initial attack in the event of a new start within the fire vicinity.
Eufemia Lucero found her son's Chilili home doused in a fire retardant called slurry on Wednesday, as some residents were able to return to their property afterevacuating.