Boulder Creek evacuees come home

BOULDER CREEK, Calif. (KION)\

Many Boulder Creek evacuees are returning home for the first time in weeks since the start of the CZU Lightning Complex fires.

Areas in the San Lorenzo water district are still under a "Do not drink, do not boil" water advisory.

Some residents say the unexpected return of a local celebrity, Alfred the albino peacock, was a symbol of hope.

Alfred is a long time resident of Boulder Creek, more than 25 years according to some residents.

“We were so worried he wasn’t going to make it through the fires," says resident Beth Stephens.

"Honestly during the fire, I worried about him more than our house," says resident Annie Sprinkle.

Neighbors say Alfred has been featured on television in the past, including on Animal Planet.

All day, residents from the area flooded in and out of the road waiting to come through their doors again.

"It’s a good feeling to come home, my heart goes out to anyone who lost their houses. We have many friends thatI know are not in the same situation I’m in where I come in and watch a basketball game and start the process of cleaning up," says resident Joseph Vaneyck.

In Boulder Creek, the first stop many residents made was at the local water district where cases of purified water were being handed out.

The water issue continues in the area many people returned home to.

Officials say melting pipes from the fires may have caused possible contamination.

Rick Rogers, manager for the water district, says more tests are still being done to determine if the water is safe.