Photos, videos: Waldo Canyon fire finally 100 percent contained

Update, 5:51 a.m. July 2: A corner appears to have been turned in the battle against the Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs, which last week surpassed the High Park fire outside Colorado Springs as the most destructive in the state's history. The blaze is now more than half-contained and the majority of evacuees have now been allowed to return to their neighborhoods. But the cost, including two lives and 346 homes, has been dreadful.

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Adam Drake

According to the most recent update of the federal InciWeb page devoted to what's officially referred to as an "incident," the number of acres consumed stands at 17,827, and containment is estimated at 55 percent. Moreover, the number of houses destroyed has been revised downward, albeit by only one residence; on Friday morning, the total was put at 347.

Not that success is being taken for granted. The size of the force arrayed against the fire is currently 1,581, one of the largest totals since the flames began to spread on June 23. But as of yesterday morning, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the mandatory evacuations for the communities of Cascade, Chipita Park, Crystola and Green Mountain Falls had been lifted. In addition, Highway 24 was opened to both eastbound and westbound traffic for residents between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. After that, restrictions against nonresidents were lifted and access to Garden of the Gods park and attractions such as Cave of the Winds and the Cliff Dwellings was restored.

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Adam Drake

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports that around 3,000 people are still under orders not to return to their addresses -- meaning that more than 90 percent of evacuees are back. The U.S. Forest Service stresses that evacuations remain in effect for the decimated Mountain Shadows area, south of Wolf Ranch, west of Flying W and north of 30th Street.

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Adam Drake

Forest Service reps note that what are described as "islands of unburned fuels" west of the U.S. Air Force Academy continue to burn and produce intermittent smoke columns. Nonetheless, line construction and burnout is complete along the Highway 24 corridor to Rampart Reservoir, with mop-up in progress and near completion in some areas. Meanwhile, hotshot crews and Type 1 initial attack crews are toiling along the north flank of the fire zone, with support from retardant-dropping aircraft.

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Adam Drake

On Friday, President Barack Obama visited the Springs, praising firefighters and expressing empathy for the residents who've lost so much -- including the friends and family of the still-unidentified couple whose remains were found in the ashes. Look below to see photos from the stop, followed by our previous coverage.

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Kari Greer

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Kari Greer

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Kari Greer

Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service/Kari Greer

Page down to see our earlier coverage, including photos and videos.