BASTROP, Texas -- The massive wildfire is now 70 percent contained. Tuesday morning, firefighters cleared areas for more residents to return home.
Police removed the barricades at 10 a.m. for the neighborhoods of ColoVista South, Wilderness Ridge, Harmon Road, Cottletown Road, Bastrop State Park, Beuscher State Park and Park Road 1C South.
Inside many of those areas, the ground is burned completely. If feet don't crunch, they sink. The dirt across Bastrop is now like fine sand. Pine trees that once stood full and tall are now bare and charred.
The fire destroyed some 1,400 homes and cars in the area.
Despite what many knew would be gone, just getting back behind the barricade makes it easier to accept.
“We've been out since the beginning. It’s a relief to be able to go back,” said fire victim Colin Mason. “I kind of spotted our street address [on reports] and I pretty much know it’s a total loss.”
Another homeowner found his house destroyed. He loaded what few pieces he could find into the bed of his truck. A jumbled mess of melted metal material was the engine to one of his cars.
“It actually got so hot, they say it takes 2,300 degrees to melt it; it went eight feet in front of the car out of the garage into the sand, just in puddles,” said fire victim Jesse Castelles.
Families returning home will have to maneuver through the crews still at work. There are tree trimming groups out cutting down the damaged pine trees. Utility crews are out as well, working to restore power. Firefighters are also still working and watching hotspots.
Weather is causing concern for firefighters. Wind gusts are picking up. The conditions are delaying other re-entry plans.
Officials announced on Monday that residents in Tahitian Village East would return on Wednesday. That re-entry phase has since been moved to Thursday as a precaution.
