All Hayden Pass Fire evacuees allowed to return home

For more than a week, the Hayden Pass Fire has forced evacuees from their homes. Initially, 140 homes were evacuated.

Tuesday, a majority of people were allowed to return home. Thursday, the remainder of the evacuees, all living on County Road 6, were allowed back.

The last time many evacuees drove on County Road 6, was when they were escaping a fire burning close to their homes.

“I’d say it was 5 miles from my house and it was scary. The sooner it grew, the faster it grew, the scarier it got,” said Stephanie Jones, an evacuee.

After being evacuated for 11 days, driving back on the road is now bringing her relief.

“I honestly couldn’t be happier. I’ve grown so much respect for the men and women that fought this fire to get us back in the house,” said Jones.

There are signs all over the Fremont County community thanking firefighters for their hard work.

“There’s never enough thank you’s for the firefighters and all the people. Just so many people have been so good to us,” said evacuee Melodi Tezak.

Tezak is one of dozens who lined up early Thursday morning to get home.

“It’s hard to come close to losing your home after 50 years of living in that area. I never really thought my house was going to burn, but you just never know,” said Tezak.

It’s been a team effort from both evacuees and authorities to get people home safely and in a timely manner.

“We want to thank them very much. They’ve been very patient and understanding with us and we’re just happy they’re able to go home and that they have homes to go to,” said Sgt. Megan Richards, of the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s office will continue to monitor the area and allow only evacuees to go through roadblocks.

The Cutty’s Campground and Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp remain closed.

The fire, which was started by lightning, is now 50 percent contained.