Fire crews are making progress in fighting a stubborn central Washington wildfire that has burned dozens of homes and forced hundreds of people to evacuate.

Fire spokesman Mark Grassel said the Taylor Bridge Fire was 33 percent contained by late Thursday - up from 25 percent - and no homes have been lost in the last two days. Some residents who had been forced to flee were allowed to return to their homes.

The fire has destroyed 70 homes and more than 200 outbuildings, burning across more than 35 square miles since Monday in terrain east of Cle Elum, about 75 miles east of Seattle.

Grassel says nearly 1,000 firefighters are focusing efforts on the fire's troublesome north flank, where the terrain is steep and rugged.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Some residents living near a wildfire in central Washington were allowed to return to their homes Thursday as firefighters made progress containing a blaze that has forced the evacuation of hundreds of people and injured one firefighter.

Hot weather, high winds and dry fuels have made the Taylor Bridge Fire a stubborn foe for firefighters assigned to the blaze that has burned roughly 35 square miles of diverse terrain, ranging from dry grasses to sagebrush and thick timber, east of Cle Elum.

Evacuation levels at the fire's southeast corner were lowered Thursday afternoon, day four of the fire, allowing some residents to remain home. But exactly how many people were allowed to return was unclear, and the area affected by the new advisory comprises just a small part of the burned area.

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated since the fire started Monday at a bridge construction site. Fire officials have said at least 60 homes have burned, though the Kittitas County sheriff also has said an additional 10 homes were destroyed in one subdivision.

The fire was 25 percent contained.

One firefighter was recovering at home for a few days after suffering minor facial burns while evacuating a hot spot on foot after a fire engine wouldn't start. The name and unit of the firefighter, who was treated at a hospital and released, were not made public. The remaining engine crew members were working at the fire Thursday.

About 840 firefighters are assigned to the fire.

Fire spokesman Mark Grassel said firefighters focused Thursday on strengthening lines at the fire's stubborn north flank, where it has burned into thick stands of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir.

"They're really trying to button up that line so they feel more secure about it holding," he said.

Laurie Plut said she doesn't feel out of danger just yet. The fire has been right at the timberline for two days, just beyond the wood cabin she and her husband have been building over the past 12 years in a collection of 40 lots, all but five of them vacation cabins.

"We're still worried. It's extremely frustrating, but the firefighters have been working hard," she said by telephone. "And we have to love them."

Easing evacuation levels will be welcome news for some residents who are either frustrated to be away from their homes or wondering if they're still standing.

The news also could begin to allow those people who already know they've lost their homes to assess the damage.

State Farm Insurance already has received about 25 claims that vary from smoke damage to destroyed residences in what has proven to be a busy wildfire year, spokesman Brad Hilliard said.

The high number of fires, the large size of the fires and their destructive nature - particularly the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs, Colo. - have been devastating for property owners this year, he said. And though it's been relatively quiet in Washington state leading up to the Taylor Bridge Fire, he noted, all it takes is one fire.

"At this point, we've been able to get in somewhat and get a sense of the situation, and we've made contact with some customers who've called in to file claims, but we haven't been able to inspect individual sites," Hilliard said. "It's tough to get in and find out what's going on. It makes it very difficult."

Wildfire season is far from over: Fire officials have raised concerns about high temperatures that are forecast for Friday and possible lightning Saturday, raising the specter of new fire starts.

Near Grand Coulee Dam, about 100 firefighters worked a wildfire that has scorched across about 12 square miles. Nine structures were still threatened by the blaze Thursday, said Colville tribal spokesman Kathy Moses.

No one has been injured in the fire that broke out Tuesday evening near the community of Elmer City and burned two outbuildings.