Some evacuation orders lifted as fire crews hold containment lines in Greenwood Lake
Firefighters restored the primary line and kept the fire far from the contingency line, which is closer to homes.
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Officials handling the wildfire response east of Greenwood Lake are growing more confident that they'll be able to put the fire out without it reaching any homes and have lifted some evacuations.
Diane Paczkowski — a 40-year resident of Wah-Ta-Wah Park — is back home, clearing out dry brush from her yard as a precaution.
"I just try to keep it up as best as I can. You know, I'm 77," she said laughing, "I can't do too much."
Firefighters asked residents of Wah-Ta-Wah Park and the Edgemere neighborhood just to the south to evacuate Saturday evening when high winds helped the fire jump a primary containment line just behind their homes.
Firefighters from around the region and beyond continued to arrive at the Greenwood Lake Fire Department over the weekend to provide support. A crew even came from Montana.
"It got a little scary," Paczkowski said. "I stayed at my window watching them. Bless those people. They do a lot of stuff and they help, especially with this fire."
Firefighters restored the primary line and kept the fire far from the contingency line, which is closer to homes.
Officials said Monday that the fire is still 88% contained.
Drew Bailey — who also just came back to Wah-Ta-Wah Park — said it has been quite an experience seeing first responders work.
"Right here from the house, you could see them coming over here," he said of the helicopters conducting water drops, "They did a fantastic job with containing it. It looks like it's under control. So we're very, very happy."
The voluntary evacuation order is still in effect for the Edgemere neighborhood.
Officials said the order was still in place Monday to make it easier for fire crews to navigate the narrow roads, not because any homes are at risk of burning.
Orange County Emergency Services Commissioner Pete Cirigliano said Monday that officials are meeting Monday evening to assess whether to lift the evacuation order for the Edgemere neighborhood.
Greenwood Lake School District officials said classes will resume Tuesday barring any unfortunate changes with the fire overnight.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus
Mayor Thomas Howley
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