People return to burned homes and scorched hills in Juliaetta as wildfire evacuations lower

JULIAETTA, Idaho - A town evacuated in minutes as the Gwen Fire approached Juliaetta's backyard.

PREVIOUS: Evacuations lowered for Gwen Fire, Juliaetta residents can return home

Now four days later, neighbors returned to a harrowing reality.

Burned homes, scorched hills and hot spots continuing to burn.

"It was sort of sad to come home and see everything burnt," said Gladys Slickpoo, a Juliaetta resident. "My house was still standing and it felt good, but I was just thinking about all the people that are coming home and not seeing their house. It's gone."

Two sheds near Gladys' house went up in flames. The rest was luckily unaffected by the fire.

"I was glad we got out. We only had nine minutes to get out and we couldn't drag everything with us."

Nine minutes to decide what Gladys can afford to lose as a fire barreled towards her home, stopping just feet away from her front door.

Now back home after evacuating, Gladys has a new perspective.

"You take a second look at the stuff you have," said Gladys. "I can replace a lot of stuff, but there's things I can't replace."

MORE: Wildfire destroys Juliaetta winery, business forced to end operations

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