LAST UPDATE: 8:42 a.m. Sunday, May 10

Thousands of people have been allowed back home after a strong marine layer helped the more than 4,300 firefighters on hand contain 70-percent of the Jesusita Fire.

Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted for basically any residents south of Highway 192. However residents in those areas should be ready to leave at a moments notice, fire officials said.

“We don’t have this thing beat yet,” said Joe Waterman, Incident Commander from CAL FIRE Team 4 at a Saturday afternoon press conference at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

The blaze has burned more than 8,700 acres of land. It has destroyed 31 homes, and damaged 47. The fire has cost $10.8 million to contain, according to the Santa Barbara county Web site.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and is currently under investigation. People with information on how the fire started are recommended to call the tip hotline at 686-5074.

An air quality warning has been issued by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District.

The fire started at around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Cathedral Peak area.

So far only 18 firefighters have been injured, a number fire officials are content with.

Five air tankers and 13 helicopters are helping more than 500 fire engines to contain the blaze. A Boeing DC-10 fire aircraft was deployed Friday to the scene. It has made four drops.

City College has been closed, and school officials have yet to determined when it will reopen.

The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at UCSB’s Multi-Activity Center on Mesa and Ocean Road which can accommodate up to 900 people. A second shelter has also been opened at UCSB’s Recreation Center. People who require special health needs are encouraged to go to the Thunderdome.

The Red Cross has also asked volunteers to come to the Goleta Valley Community Center at 5679 Hollister Ave.

“Putting out these fires is a top priority for me, and to have everybody coordinated is a top priority for me, and I will always be right there when the fire starts and I want to let you know that we’re thinking of you…” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a Santa Barbara press conference Thursday.

The governor declared a state of emergency for Santa Barbara, which means that the Federal government will pay 75-percent of the costs to contain the blaze. This clause is in accordance with FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant Program.

Residents have been reminded to conserve water so that firefighters can try and maintain the water levels in the reservoirs.

Mandatory evacuation zones were increased as far as Patterson Avenue Thursday after the fire jumped Highway 154. The highway remains closed.

In comparison with the Tea Fire, the Jesusita Fire has burnt more than four times the amount of acres.

Click here for an updated fire evacuations map.

For up to date information visit CountyofSB.org.

For additional photos of the Jesusita Fire, please click here.