Over 35,000 homes evacuated in the Blue Cut fire

Officials say 96 homes have been destroyed in the Blue Cut fire and 80,000 people have been forced to leave their homes behind.

The fire has burned 37,000 acres, spanning about 57 square miles. Cal fire says the fire is 26 percent contained.

The Blue Cut fire started on Tuesday in San Bernardino, off of the 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass.

For the first time today, some residents are returning to their homes. Officials are asking for the community to be patient as they relocate evacuees.

“We’re not releasing any specific addresses. We want to make sure that we don’t give homeowners false hope,” said Chief Mark Hartwig of San Bernardino County Fire.

Officials stressed how difficult it has been to fight the flames because of people who refuse to leave their homes.

“Why they don’t leave, we’re not sure. We know they’ve invested their lives in these ranches and homes that were burned,” said Chief Hartwig.

The Inland Empire United Way established a fire relief fund of $100,000 for the victims of the Blue Cut fire.

Chief Hartwig says there is an overwhelming amount of support from the community, which is offering food, money and clothes to those affected by the fire.

There have been no reported deaths.