More than two weeks after the Valley Fire began, many students living in Middletown are finally headed back to class Monday.
Hundreds of homes burned down and entire neighborhoods were taken out, but Middletown's schools were somehow spared. The fire killed four people and destroyed more than 1,950 structures.
School officials have arranged for buses to pick up students who are staying in other parts of Lake County.
Meanwhile, classes at Cobb Elementary School will be held in portable units set up behind the Middletown Middle school campus.
Schools were used as evacuation centers during the peak of the fire. The fire was 97 percent contained Monday. All evacuations were lifted in the affected areas.
The blaze started Sept. 12, and charred 118 square miles. The cause remains under investigation.
#MiddletownStrong high school students return to class after #ValleyFire . @NorthBayNews @CAL_FIRE pic.twitter.com/KfQen8RLW5 — Kent Porter (@kentphotos) September 28, 2015
Great job to all the @TheMHSmustangs sports teams for getting the community moving forward again. #middletownSTRONG — Middletown Mustangs (@TheMHSmustangs) September 26, 2015
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For the first time since the #ValleyFire started, Middletown football is back on the field pic.twitter.com/JLDxQBVg8A — Tom Miller (@KCRAMiller) September 26, 2015
Thanks @PGE4Me for your great work helping to get our town back #WelcomeHome #MiddletownStrong #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/37OsSUCizT — Middletown Vet (@MiddletownPet) September 25, 2015
Asst Region Chief Hoffmann w/ @smokey_bear ready to greet Middletown students returning to school after #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/gniEwOXhXF — Chief Ken Pimlott (@CALFIRE_CHIEF) September 28, 2015
