On September 11, a large group of participants gathered for a tour of four sites in the Town of Paradise, each representing important milestones in recovery nearly seven years after the Camp Fire. The tour was co-led by the Town of Paradise and the Butte County Fire Safe Council, bringing together a wide range of partners to reflect on progress and share collaborative strategies for advancing wildfire safety and forest health on the Ridge. Thank you to the Sierra Institute, a proud supporter of collaborative groups like the Butte County Collaborative Group (BCCG), for capturing the day.
Home Retrofit Program
Brian Solecki from the Town of Paradise (TOP) shared an overview of the Home Retrofit Program, which has supported upgrades for more than 100 homes that survived the Camp Fire. Improvements included fire-resistant roofs, siding, vents, and gates-critical measures to increase home hardening. Because the program is one of only two of its kind in the North State, much effort was invested in designing it to meet homeowners’ unique needs.
The tour visited homes both awaiting retrofits and those that had already incorporated completed upgrades. Brian emphasized the importance of partnerships in navigating regulatory processes, noting that investing in collaboration has been key to making the program a success.
Hazard Tree Removal – Category 4 Tree Removal Program
Brian, joined by Trevor Sherman of the Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC), highlighted the innovative partnership between TOP and BCFSC that created the Category 4 Tree Removal Program. This initiative ensured landowners could have hazardous trees removed at no cost, thanks to matching funds provided by the Rotary Foundation.
The program’s success was also rooted in collaboration with the Tribes of Butte County, demonstrating how shared efforts can overcome significant fuels management challenges. CAL FIRE partners further contributed to the discussion by sharing updates on their South Paradise Vegetation Management Program, which is located near the tour site.
Bille Park – Firewise USA and Wildfire Risk Reduction
At Bille Park, participants heard from Maddy Mickles of BCFSC, who recounted how the Bille Park neighborhood became the first Firewise USA community to form in Paradise after the Camp Fire. Maddy explained the process of forming a Firewise USA community, sparking dialogue among participants who shared their own experiences leading and participating in Firewise efforts across Butte County.
The tour also highlighted the Paradise Recreation and Park District’s Wildfire Risk Reduction Project. Visitors observed the blackened bark of ponderosa pines that had withstood wildfire, underscoring how forest health practices can directly contribute to community safety. Billie Park now stands as both a symbol of resilience and an example of proactive stewardship.