Crews gaining ground on Telegraph fire in Mariposa County

MARIPOSA -- Six days after a target shooter allegedly started the blaze, the Telegraph fire in Mariposa County appears to be getting closer to becoming just a bad memory for thousands of residents as an army of firefighters, more than 4,400 strong, continues to make significant progress.

Despite an increase overnight of acres burned, from 32,063 to 33,705 acres (50 square miles), top fire officials this morning estimated containment holding at 40%.

Some 200 residents were allowed to return to their homes Wednesday and firefighters continue to reduce the risk to structures in the Midpines and Mariposa area.

No more homes have been destroyed since 21 homes were burned to the ground early on in the blaze. The cost of battling the blaze, meanwhile, jumped overnight from $15 million to more than $18.8 million.