The Day That Changed the Paradise Ridge — and the Story That Follows
The Lost Bus tells the story of the day Paradise and Magalia were forever changed. Welcome to the Ridge tells the story of what happened after — the years of resilience, recovery, and renewal that define us today.
This is Paradise Today
Seven years after the Camp Fire, the Ridge is no longer defined by what was lost, but by what has been rebuilt.
In Paradise, the population has grown back to over 11,000 residents — a remarkable sign of return and community after dropping below 5,000 in the months following the fire. Families are once again filling the schools, and businesses along the Skyway are lighting up with familiar signs and new ventures alike.
More than 3,400 homes have now been rebuilt across Paradise and Magalia, each roofline a promise that the Ridge is alive with neighbors determined to stay. Together, these communities form the heart of a recovery that is stronger than numbers alone can measure.
The economy is showing new life as well. Since 2022, the Chamber has welcomed a 20% increase in membership, reflecting both returning small businesses and newcomers drawn by the Ridge’s spirit. Local shops, cafés, and services are anchoring neighborhoods again, while connection and events bring residents together on weekends.
Cultural traditions have returned too — and they shine as brightly as ever. Gold Nugget Days fills the streets each spring with laughter and parades, while Johnny Appleseed Days, California’s oldest harvest festival, celebrates both bounty and community every autumn. Theatre on the Ridge raises its curtain on new seasons, and Magalia’s gathering spaces welcome music, storytelling, and community dinners.
Each of these moments reflects the pioneer spirit that has always defined Paradise and Magalia — the same spirit that guided early homesteaders, carried families through fire and hardship, and now inspires today’s residents to replant, rebuild, and renew.
