Cabin owners in Greenwood fire area return to their properties

Cabin owners in the Greenwood fire area saw firsthand the devastation the fire caused to their properties when the Highway One corridor reopened to them Wednesday.

Sergeant Timothy Luoma of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department spent the day greeting people passing through as they prepared to see their properties. He weighed on what that was like.

“I think its mixed emotions for all of them. You know, happy that their cabin was one of the ones that they didn’t lose, but on the same token, sad for those that did lose it,” Luoma said. “I don’t think anyone could put into words what it would be like to be in that position.”

On their way in to the Highway One cooridor, people were required to provide proof of their identification and residence. They then received a pass to come in and out of the area.

“We’ve got about 120 passes to give out,” Luoma said.

For the time being, the Highway One corridor remains closed to the general public, but Luoma said authorities hope to continue opening it in phases.

“Our biggest concern was safety for the firefighters that would be working on the Highway One corridor and also, part of it is security. With the evacuations in place, we want to ensure these residents that we had vacate their house that there is some form of security for their property,” Luoma said.

Property owners who still want to obtain a pass to enter the Highway One corridor can call 218-510-0640.

The latest information on the Greenwood fire can be found here.