LUCERNE, Calif. -- Mandatory evacuation orders for much of the Northshore were reduced to advisory Wednesday. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft roared through smoky skies over the town to continue fighting the Ranch Fire in areas nearby but not affecting the towns of the Northshore which remain under advisory evacuation orders after being removed from mandatory evacuation status.

Some residents returned home after being evacuated to find the Salvation Army and Cal Water set up with distribution sites for meals, snacks, and water.

Shannon McGovern of Cal Water and staff members were ready to distribute Wednesday until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. "We're prepared to serve between three and five hundred people, although the water is up and safe to drink we do have a limited supply of bottled water for folks who need it," she said.

Cal water has two locations, one at the First Lutheran Church located at 10th and Country Club and across from the Cal Water offices at 6125 State Hwy 20 in Lucerne, Shannon said.

In Lucerne Harbor Park the Salvation Army are prepared spaghetti meals, snacks and water for as many as 500 people arriving home.

Lt. Larry Carmichael who servers as the Salvation Army officer in Marin county came to Lucerne with a meal truck and is "helping to get people a hot meal as they return home". "For the last week we've been in Lake County helping at the shelters with food service and in the parks for the last couple days," when the evacuation changed to advisory Carmichael and his staff put the canteen truck in place in Lucerne Harbor park, he said.

The Salvation Army canteen truck will be in the park Thursday until out of supplies beginning with an initial 500 meal supply and capability to cook more if need be and will asses the need for returning.