COLFAX (CBS SF) – Containment of the burning river fire in Nevada and Placer counties increased Monday as evacuated residents were allowed to re-enter the fire zone for the first time, according to fire departments.

With the update from Cal Fire on Monday morning, containment was increased to 68 percent overnight. The size of the fire is still just over 2,600 hectares.

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On Monday, firefighters continued to work on strengthening the containment lines around the houses and moving further inside the fire to look for hotspots.

From 1 p.m. on Monday afternoon, evacuated residents were allowed to return to the fire zone for the first time to check their apartments. The fire brigade had previously confirmed that 88 buildings were destroyed and 20 damaged.

For Nevada County, a re-entry center was opened at Bear River High School at 11130 Magnolia Road in Grass Valley from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for emergency services and other agencies.

Re-entry passes for residents with evacuation orders for the #RiverFire are available at Bear River High School from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on 8/9. available. Passes will be available later this week at the Sheriff’s Office, 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City, 8 am-5pm on October 8th-8th, 2013. to be available. pic.twitter.com/zlzDF8VISh

– Nevada County OES (@NevCoOES) August 9, 2021

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The main purpose of the re-entry center is to notify residents of damage to their property and to issue IDs that allow homeowners to return to their apartments in areas that are still closed to the public. Law enforcement will patrol the closed areas and verify entry passports.

A re-entry center will open at Colfax Elementary School at 24825 Ben Taylor Road in Placer County, providing evacuated residents with re-entry badges to the fire area, as well as face masks and information about the safety of the fire area.

UPDATE on evacuation orders for river fires:
A re-entry center is open today from 1pm to 5pm at Colfax Elementary School for people in the mandatory evacuation area. For more information: https://t.co/5WOieDIAm2 #PCSO #RiverFire #ColfaxCA #PlacerCounty pic.twitter.com/5Xc6D6S9Wp

– Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) August 9, 2021

Evacuated residents can also dial 211 and provide their name, home address and contact information. A representative from the district will contact you within a few hours to follow up.

Residents returning home are advised that the fire brigade will continue to work in the fire zone and reduce their speeds if necessary.

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Cal Fire expects the fire to be fully contained by Friday.

The post Containment Elevated to 68%; Evacuees Allowed to Re-Enter Hearth Zone – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.