As some impacted by Cedar Fire return home others are trying to stay positive as they wait

GLENNVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Cedar fire has kept firefighters in Tulare and Kern Counties busy for the past 10 days. The fire has burned more than 28,000 acres and is now 20-percent contained.

The communities of California Hot Springs and Pine Flat are no longer under mandatory evacuation orders. Evacuated residents in those areas are now allowed back in their homes. Those who are still under mandatory evacuations, like Mike Minor and his family, are doing what they can to stay positive and keep their minds off the fire.

"Our day to day routine is gone, so find a new routine like raking or do whatever we can to keep busy. It's been hard sometimes, you just don't know what time it is or what day it is."

They've been at the rodeo grounds in Glennville since Sunday night and couldn't be more appreciative of the volunteers and the donations. They are also appreciative of the firefighters who are working around the clock to protect homes like theirs.

So far, the Cedar Fire has destroyed six cabins in the Spear Creek area, but luckily everything else has been saved.

Structure protection may be going well, but the Cedar Fire has been a sobering reminder of California's unprecedented drought and the staggering amount of dead or dying trees in the fire zone. Kerry Greene, with the U.S. Forest Service, said stressed trees are susceptible to bark beetles. Once the bug is inside the tree they'll finish the job and kill it. They believe the problem will persist and move into areas of Northern California.

"This is just such a great hazard, the scale is unprecedented. Everyone is involved trying to solve solutions and mitigation's where we can," said Greene.

It's a hazard for anyone who lives in the forest, like Minor and his family. But he isn't worried, he knows it will all work out.

"A positive mind will rule all of mankind. It's a lyric from a song I love, and it keeps you going."

There will be a fire information meeting for residents Friday night in Glennville which starts at 7:00.