‘Thankful to be home.’ Evacuated Greenwood Lake residents return home, officials say firefighters near end of wildfire battle
Firefighters are continuing to make significant strides battling a more than weeklong wildfire in Greenwood Lake.
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Firefighters are continuing to make significant strides battling a more than weeklong wildfire in Greenwood Lake.
As of Tuesday, officials say manpower has been reduced, and remaining firefighters are patrolling for hotspots as efforts wind down and evacuated residents return home.
“{This is} very big progress. We couldn’t go on much longer the way it was,” says Greenwood Lake Mayor Thomas Howley.
It’s been more than a week since the raging wildfire destroyed thousands of acres, evacuated frightened residents and closed schools for days.
Classes are now back in session, roads are reopened and people are once again seen enjoying life on the lake.
“I’m very thankful to be home,” says resident Carly Hines. “It’s my first walk with the dog since things have kind of calm down a bit.”
Howley says firefighters will remain dousing hotspots for the next few days but that the wildfire is 90% contained.
“We are coming to a conclusion of this. Kudos to all the firefighters. We are in good hands,” Howley says.
Some of the volunteers who worked tirelessly for days are now home, and villagers are expressing a huge sense of relief and gratitude
“I’m absolutely ecstatic that it’s getting better,” says resident Federico Moreno. “Super happy that the firemen are getting it all under control.”
Authorities say the forecasted wet weather this week is needed to get what’s left of the wildfire under control. They say Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters that have been essential to fighting the wildfire will no longer be needed.
Ground efforts to fully extinguish the blaze are expected to continue for at least another week.
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