Recovery from the 2018 Fire

First Five Years

After the Camp Fire the community took immediate action to make the area safe for residents. 

The plastic, metal, and composite culvert pipes throughout town that melted from the heat of the fire were replaced with fire-resistant concrete pipes at various locations. Guard rails were replaced along the lower skyway that were burned and damaged in the fire. Within one year a total of 3.6 million total tons of debris were removed—the same “ton” total as four Golden Gate bridges creating a cleaner, safer community. 

Measures have also been taken to make commuting throughout town safer for all. A signal light was installed at the four-way intersection of Skyway and Black Olive Drive, to ensure a safer driving experience for every day and evacuations. The Pentz Road Safe Routes to School Project increased safety for students and other pedestrians in a highly trafficked area that was once unsafe.

The most recently completed project is the Early Warning Sirens (EWS) in the town of Paradise. This includes twenty-one siren towers that provide a redundant warning system for residents and visitors in Paradise of potential or emergent hazards that threaten life and property. 

As part of a downtown revitalization initiative, Downtown Almond Street has new drainage systems, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, paths, lighting, and landscaping. This allows for a safe, walkable downtown encouraging new businesses to come in and multifamily units to be built. It also creates an excellent place for the community to gather and support local merchants.

Paradise High School recently celebrated the grand opening of a new 31K sqft administration and classroom building as well as the re-opening of a newly remodeled science building and library. Paradise Junior High School celebrated a similar milestone when they reopened with new classrooms, gymnasium and pickle ball court. Other complete projects include new buildings and classrooms at Ridgeview High School and Paradise Ridge Elementary School.