Firefighters Urge Caution as Santa Barbara Residents Return Home

May 10, 2009— -- Wary Californians returned home to survey the damage wreaked by the Santa Barbara wildfires.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown lifted mandatory evacuations for most of the areas threatened by fire on Saturday. Many people moved back into their homes as fast as they had gotten out two days earlier. Many people had been living in Red Cross shelters or discounted hotel rooms for days.

With the Santa Barbara-area fires now at least 55 percent contained, about 21,000 of the 30,000 evacuees have been allowed back into their homes as of Sunday morning.

For many of these residents, firefighters are now their heroes. The Oatis family told ABC News that when the firefighters drive by they wave and yell, "Thank you!"

The number of homes destroyed has been revised downward, from a preliminary estimate of 80. It is now believed that around 31 homes were lost, and about 50 homes were damaged. The new goal is to have the fire fully contained by Wednesday.

In the hills, under favorable weather, firefighters were able to pick away at stubborn hot spots. Tom Franklin, Santa Barbara county fire chief, said there "were a lot of flare-ups" but that "the fire didn't really progress much at all."

However, officials warn it is too early to declare victory. Until the fire is fully contained and controlled, there's always a note of caution. Officials were quick to note that "we don't have this thing beat."

"I want to remind everybody that 55 percent contained means that 45 percent of it is not contained," Franklin said.

With a cap of fog and cool air over Santa Barbara, fire crews worked through the weekend putting out hot spots and trying to extend containment of the fire before the wind blows again.

"We're going from a defensive for the past few days to now an offensive," said Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Wallace Saturday. "Now we're gonna start chasing the fire, not have it chase us."

Officials have yet to identify what caused the raging fires.

Residential areas have been helped by higher humidity and cooler temperatures, which create more moist vegetation, officials said.

Although conditions are improving, Hahn warned, "Just because the weather's better doesn't mean we're out of the woods. Our guard is up and always will be up."