YARNELL, Ariz. — Some residents who were forced to evacuate due to a deadly Arizona wildfire will be allowed to return to their homes Thursday evening.
Yavapai (YAV'-uh-peye) County Sheriff Scott Mascher says the evacuation order is being lifted only for Peeples Valley. Only those who can show proof of residency will be allowed past the checkpoint set up there.
Evacuation orders for other areas will remain in place.
The Yarnell Hill Fire was sparked by lightning on June 28. Two days later, violent winds fed the fire and took the Granite Mountain Hotshots by surprise, killing 19 members of the elite crew.
Nearly 600 firefighters continue to fight the blaze, which is 45 percent contained. It has destroyed more than 100 homes and burned about 13 square miles.
