(WB) - Firefighters on Tuesday continued to make progress to contain the fires that have burned thousands of acres in Napa and Sonoma counties, allowing more residents to go home.

Still, firefighters on Tuesday continued to fight fires in rugged terrain in both counties. Fire burns operations north of Oakville Tuesday sent plumes of smoke into the air.

In the meantime, dozens of vineyards, orchards and cattle ranches remain off limit in both counties as firefighters mop up burned areas and utility crews restore power. 

On Monday, Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner Tony Linegar started issuing permits to growers and ranchers to gain access to off-limit properties where fires are not actively burning. His staff escorts the farmers and ranchers. 

The program is similar to the one Napa County Agricultural Commissioner Greg Clark implemented over the weekend.

As of Tuesday, Linegar’s office had received 200 requests. About 50 groups have been escorted to off-limit properties for up to 12 hours. 

Requests continue to arrive. “They’re coming as we speak,” Linegar said Tuesday afternoon. 

“We’ll be working through the night tonight,” said Linegar, who leads of staff of 37 people. “We had staff that worked all night last night escorting people in and out to pick,” Linegar said. “It’s become a 24-hour operation.”