LAPORTE, Colo. -- Helicopters took to the skies again Sunday morning to drop water on the 8,745-acre Picnic Rock fire, thanks to improved visibility.

There was little movement in the fire overnight but there are still hot spots and torching in the fire underneath the canopy in the thick trees because moisture didn't get through, said fire information officer Reghan McDaniel. This is mostly on the West side of the fire in national forest land, where no homes are located.

Firefighters will closely monitor those areas of the fire are also planning to get more of a fire line dug Sunday. About 13 miles of line (northwest and west side) continue to be built.

About .3 inches of rain fell in the fire area, and the south half of the fire is looking good, McDaniel said. The fire remains about 30 percent contained.

Residents of about 120 homes in the Bonner Peak Ranch and Cherokee Hills subdivisions were allowed back home Saturday night. About 23 homes are still evacuated because of the fire threat. Those are the people who live on South Grey Rock and on Obenchain Road, east of street address 3333 Obenchain Roadm authorities said.

Officials also lifted evacuation alerts for the Hewlett Gulch subdivision and the community of Livermore Saturday.

Crews are also working on restoring electricity to the Obenchair area.

More than 400 firefighters have worked the blaze, the state's first significant fire of the season. One firefighter was taken by ambulance to a hospital Friday night for minor injuries and was treated and released, officials said.

Only one home and one garage was burned.

Gov. Bill Owens last week declared a state emergency, clearing the way for up to $2.2 million in emergency funds. Officials said the fire had cost $1.1 million to fight.

Cherokee Hills Road and Obenchain Road are still closed, except to residents. Drivers in the area are cautioned to watch for rolling rocks or other falling debris and to drive slowly. Grey Rock and Hewlett Gulch trails are also closed through Monday.

Thirteen hand crews, 28 engines, four water tenders, four air tankers, and four helicopters are still working the blaze.