Duarte Lifts Mandatory Evacuations Saturday As Crew Clean Up Mud, Debris

DUARTE (CBSLA.com) – The city of Duarte has lifted mandatory evacuations for dozens of residents following Friday's storm.

Mandatory evacuation orders that were issued Thursday for 202 homes in Duarte, near the Fish Fire burn area, were lifted, the city announced Saturday morning. The burn area has been regressed from red alert level to a yellow alert level.

However, street closures will remain in effect indefinitely. Checkpoints are in place and only residents will be allowed into the impact area.

Closures are in place at Royal Oaks and Greenbank; Bettyhill and Conata; Royal Oaks and Mel Canyon; eastbound Fish Canyon at Mel Canyon; westbound Fish Canyon at Mel Canyon, Mountaincrest and Deerlane; Brookridge and Tannencrest; and Sunnydale Drive and Westvale Road.

GALLERY: Duarte Cleans Up Mud, Debris (All photos by Matthew C. Hartman/Shorealone Films)

Residents of Melcanyon, between Brookridge and Fish Canyon, will have to park on adjoining streets and walk to their homes due to ongoing cleanup efforts by city crews.

CBS2's Greg Mills spoke to residents and asked how they were coping with yet more mud.

Workers started scooping up the mud on Mel Canyon Road first thing.

"They were here bright and early this morning. So they're on the spot. It's great," said Anna Armstrong.

Richard Walker said the mud is annoying but at this point, no biggie.

"We've been through this about four times," he said, "We're kind of used to it."

Chris, the foreman of the work crew, told Mills they've cleaned-up Mel Canyon Road so often they have it down to a science. By 2:30 p.m., the road was cleared and reopened.