Residents return home as wildfire concerns continue along Highway 110 West

Traffic has resumed along Highway 110 West as some residents displaced by recent wildfires are finally being allowed to return home.

(CNN)- Traffic has resumed along Highway 110 West as some residents displaced by recent wildfires are finally being allowed to return home.

The reopening comes days after families living near the busy roadway were forced to evacuate as flames threatened neighborhoods and surrounding woods.

“It’s always challenging to see residents coming back home,” said Incident Management Team spokesperson Karen Miranda-Gleason. “There’s a sense of relief if their house is there, and of course a sense of loss if their house is not.”

Officials confirmed several homes in the area were damaged by the wildfire, though crews say some neighborhoods escaped major destruction.

Emergency teams continue monitoring conditions closely as dry weather and drought conditions remain a major concern.

“The swamps and areas that are normally wet this time of year are pretty dried out,” said Incident Management Team spokesperson Drew Mickolay. “That continued drought has hampered some suppression efforts.”

Authorities warn residents the danger is not over and additional evacuations may still be possible if weather conditions change.

“It’s part of the active fire area,” Miranda-Gleason said. “If it does flare up, if the wind shifts in this direction, then the residents will be asked to leave again.”

More than 440 wildland firefighters, structure management teams and additional emergency crews remain deployed throughout the county as officials work to protect homes and contain flare-ups.

Officials say crews will continue patrolling neighborhoods and wooded areas in an effort to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

“It’s a tragic situation,” Miranda-Gleason added, “but I’m impressed at how the community here is pulling together and really helping each other.”