PHELAN, Calif., Dhu-AlQa'dah 17, 1437, Aug 20, 2016, SPA -- Crews made huge gains against a massive wildfire in Southern California as residents anxiously awaited word that they can return to mountain communities where at least 96 homes were destroyed, AP reported. The blaze was 68 percent contained on Saturday and firefighters were transitioning to mop-up phase, according to fire spokesman Brad Pitassi. Pitassi estimated that about 7,000 people remained under mandatory evacuation orders, mostly around the areas of Wrightwood and Lytle Creek. The majority of those evacuated were allowed to return Friday evening. At the height of the fire, some 82,000 people were under evacuation orders. A preliminary assessment found 96 homes and 213 outbuildings were destroyed by the blaze, most of them in its first fierce days on Tuesday and Wednesday. More damage might still be discovered as firefighters pore through the aftermath of the fire that had burned 58 square miles about 60 miles east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County. Johanna Santore was among those left homeless. She was running an errand Tuesday when the fire charged through her neighborhood. She tried to rush home to rescue the family's four dogs, six cats and hamster but was blocked by closed roads. A group of animal rescue volunteers found the house in smoldering ruins — with no signs of the pets. -- SPA 19:52 LOCAL TIME 16:52 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w