Paradise Rebuilds After 2018 Camp Fire, Offers Lessons for LA Wildfire Recovery

PARADISE, Calif. — Six years after the devastating Camp Fire destroyed nearly 11,000 homes and claimed 85 lives, the town of Paradise is still rebuilding — and offering hard-earned lessons for Los Angeles as it grapples with its own wildfire recovery.

Greg Bolin, a former Paradise mayor and vice mayor during the 2018 disaster, recalled the chaos of evacuation as propane tanks exploded and ash rained from the sky. “It’s just exactly — these people, they’re lost. They don’t know where to go,” Bolin said, reflecting on his wife’s words as they watched recent Los Angeles fire coverage.

Paradise’s recovery has been guided by an ambitious plan that includes stricter fire safety measures, redesigned evacuation routes, and a “one-stop-shop” housing and permitting center. The town has also installed 21 siren towers and improved emergency notification systems to ensure residents are better prepared for future disasters.

“It’s not an option,” Bolin said of the town’s fire safety upgrades. “This has to happen. If this doesn’t happen, we’re not coming back.”

Despite progress, challenges remain. Some residents still live in temporary housing, unable to rebuild until they receive settlement money. Bolin, who now runs a construction business, defended the town’s efforts to support lower-income residents, calling the recovery process “a lot of work.”

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials advised Paradise to prioritize reopening schools, churches, and businesses to rebuild community spirit. The town’s annual parade returned quickly, and schools were rebuilt with significant upgrades. These efforts helped attract families with children, Bolin said.

However, the trauma of the fire lingers. “There’s people that still won’t even drive up the hill because of the PTSD,” Bolin said. “They can’t even look at this place because it’s nothing like it was before.”

Paradise’s population has rebounded to nearly 11,000, up from fewer than 5,000 in 2020, though still far from its pre-fire peak of 26,000. Jenn Goodlin, executive director of the Rebuild Paradise Foundation, has been instrumental in the recovery. Her organization provides financial support for rebuilding costs, including septic systems and home hardening measures.

Goodlin, who moved her family back to Paradise after the fire, emphasized the importance of community resilience. “We are here. Like, we have gone through it — similar but different,” she said. “How can we help you now?”

As Paradise continues to rebuild, Bolin remains cautiously optimistic. “There is a path back. It’s going to take time. You’re going to have to be patient,” he said. “But many people here have said, ‘How many times do you get to be a part of bringing back a community?’”