Located about 85 miles north of Sacramento, the town was home to around 26,000 people who enjoyed a quiet life in this scenic part of the state.
But that peaceful existence came to a shocking end when a fire ignited. It spread at an unbelievable pace—almost 80 football fields every minute—and tragically, 85 lives were lost in the chaos.
How did the Paradise fire start?
The fire’s origin was traced back to a single malfunctioning metal hook. This hook was part of a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) transmission tower that delivered electricity from hydroelectric plants in the Sierra Nevada all the way to the Bay Area.
People had only a few moments to escape before the flames swallowed their homes.
More than 18,000 structures were reduced to rubble, wiping out nearly 90% of all homes in the area.
Because of the gridlocked roads, many residents had no choice but to abandon their vehicles and run for their lives, fleeing the approaching inferno on foot.
The aftermath of the fire in Paradise, California
In the aftermath, thousands were left without homes. The devastation forced many to relocate, with some moving to nearby cities like Chico, while others had to travel even farther to find shelter.
PG&E ended up filing for bankruptcy due to the scale of the disaster and ultimately had to pay out billions of dollars in settlements to victims and their families.
But things didn’t get easier for residents. A major insurance crisis followed, and many found themselves unexpectedly dropped by their insurance providers after the catastrophe.
To help support mental health recovery, the Butte Humane Society launched its Animal Assisted Wellness program. Therapy dogs were brought in to comfort and assist those dealing with the trauma.
Plans to rebuild Paradise back to its former glory after the fire
There have been ongoing efforts to bring Paradise back to life following the devastation, but as of 2023, only a fraction of the former population has returned. The town now holds between 6,000 to 8,000 people.
Massive clean-up operations have removed tons of debris, and some new homes have already been constructed. Many more are still in progress as the rebuilding continues slowly but steadily.
People are hopeful that Paradise will keep growing in the years ahead, with more residents returning and new ones moving in.