Residents return as fires abate

Tallahassee - Some 40,000 north-eastern Florida residents were allowed to return home yesterday as firefighters gained the upper…

Tallahassee - Some 40,000 north-eastern Florida residents were allowed to return home yesterday as firefighters gained the upper hand over wildfires that have been devastating the area.

However fire officials warned that only substantial rains will end the crisis. All 40,000 residents of hard-hit Flagler County were allowed to go home after sleeping in hotels, shelters or relatives' homes since Friday last.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter