FRESNO, Calif.  —  Hundreds of residents are returning home today after being forced to flee a wildfire near California's Yosemite National Park.

A longtime backcountry guide in the park has been staying at a motel since he and his wife evacuated their home Saturday. He says he's not sure if he'll have water when he gets home because all his wells run on electricity.

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Most of the evacuees were allowed to return home yesterdays as firefighters made critical gains in their battle against the blaze.

The 50-square-mile fire was 40 percent contained last night. It has burned 21 homes since being sparked last Friday.

The fire has forced dozens of park employees to flee and has left one of California's most popular destinations shrouded in smoke at the height of the tourist season.