Firefighters have made significant progress in containing the Horse Fire in the Prescott National Forest and are lifting evacuation orders for residents in the community of Crown King.
As of Friday afternoon, fire spokesperson Chantel Herrick says the fire is a little over 9,500 acres and 49 percent contained.
"The only heat and smoke that people may see will be the interior of the northeast corner," Herrick said. "All other corners of the fire have shown minimal growth."
Residents of Crown King, who have been under evacuation orders for more than six days, are allowed to return home as of 4 p.m. Friday and will have to prove residency to officers maintaining the roadblocks, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.
"All road blocks generally in the area will be maintained otherwise," Yavapai County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Dwight D'Evelyn said in a Facebook Live broadcast. "Just show proof of residency and you'll be on your way home."
Areas around Crown King and the southern half of the Prescott National Forest remain closed.
