Railroad Fire evacuation orders lifted

Fresno, Calif. (KFSN) -- For dozens of residents, days of worry came to an end with a simple piece of paper that allowed several evacuees to return home.

"It feels wonderful--feels wonderful. I didn't know what to expect," said Albert Contreras, Sierra Sky Ranch resident.

Contreras returned home after he was forced to leave as the Railroad Fire burned close to his home.

He says he was relieved to see the trees still standing and his house in tact...now, things can return to normal.

"I get to hang my wife's picture back on the wall and things like that, it's a wonderful-- wonderful feeling," said Contreras.

Firefighters are not finished yet--crews are still working on creating fire breaks near the big sandy area where the blaze remains active. So far, it's burned more than 12, 000 acres. Flames destroyed 17 structures. Many residents left their homes and took shelter at the Red Cross and some say they're getting the car packed and ready to return.

"I'm anxious to get home," said Julian Reck, Railroad Fire evacuee.

The cleanup continues for Tenaya Lodge as it remains closed, but they plan to reopen their doors on Sunday.

"We're excited to open--we still have to reflect on what's happened the last 10 or 12 days. We've got a lot of employees that have not been working--we've only been able to bring up a handful to prepare the property," said Paul Ratchford, Lodge General Manager.

For many of the residents returning home--like Contreras, this was their first time being evacuated, and say hopefully it will be their last.