Valley Fire 70 percent contained, more evacuations lifted

CALISTOGA, Calif. (KGO) -- Crews made some real progress over the weekend to contain the massive Valley Fire. CAL FIRE says the massive wildfire is now 70 percent contained and has burned 75,781 acres.

DONATIONS: How to help victims of the Valley Fire where you live

After more than a week out of their homes, many evacuees chased out by the Valley Fire are now returning to see what's left behind. For some evacuees, returning home was good news, for others, it was heartache. Fire officials say 70 homes were destroyed in Hidden Valley Lake. Hundreds more were burned in Middletown.

Richard Schaut and his wife found years of memories reduced to rubble.

"We've had a week to work through it you know. So we were all ready. We came looking for a few mementos which we found. You know the ugly ceramic thing your kid makes in elementary school. It survived," said Schaut.

More evacuation orders will be lifted at 5 p.m. for families living in North Loch Lomond, Seigler Springs and Bonanza Springs will be able to return home and classes are set to resume today for students in Kelseyville and Konocti. Students in the hard hit Middletown School District could resume classes at the end of this week.

The fire has killed three people and 6,500 homes remain threatened.

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PHOTOS: Crews battle massive Valley Fire

PHOTOS: ABC7 News reporters at the Valley Fire