Emotions ran high Saturday in Sonora at the first community meeting since the September Lightning Complex fires.

"It was a good meeting. It was important that people were able to come and vent their problems," said Chinese Camp resident Charles Bedell.

About 100 people showed up at the Sonora High School auditorium to hear from officials about the firefight and what's next, focusing on the 6-5 Fire that ripped through Chinese Camp.

"It did get a little heated," said Holli Watkins from Sonora.

Half of the meeting's attendees were residents of Chinese Camp. They wanted to know when they could return.

"I will share with you that it does take the full scope of my authority to issue these orders and it's very difficult when I know I have my people displaced from their homes. Please don

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