KUSA - All residents who had been under mandatory evacuation orders due to the 416 Fire have been allowed to return to their homes and businesses.
On Tuesday residents of the Falls Creek Ranch and High Meadows subdivisions went home, but those areas remain under pre-evacuation status.
One couple was met by members of the Denver Fire Department who had spent several days working to protect their home on Falls Creek Road. Firefighters noted flames got within about 300 yards of the house.
In an emotional video posted on the 416 Fire Facebook page, the couple fought back tears as they hugged the firefighters. Comments on the post identified the couple as Bill and Marge.
"Thank you so much! You've been here this whole time taking care of us," said Marge. "I just can't believe, you guys just have such big hearts besides being great firefighters."
The couple told firefighters they had waited at the school in town every morning to wave to them and show their support as they went to work each day.
"We're always afraid, a house is a house, but you guys have houses, you got kids and to come down here and do all this for us is just unbelievable," said Bill.
The 416 Fire which is burning 13 miles north of Durango started on June 1 and has burned 34,177 acres. It is now 35 percent contained according to the 416 Fire Facebook page.