Paradise residents are mourning the lives lost in the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed the town.
PARADISE, Calif. — The Town of Paradise has launched a five-day Camp Fire 5th Anniversary Celebration to reflect on the fire that killed 84 people and destroyed the town.
The “Paint Your Paradise” community paint night begins Tuesday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the town’s Terry Ash Recreation Center in honor of the 2018 Camp Fire.
The town’s commemoration will conclude Wednesday with an 85-second moment of silence at 11:08 a.m. in memory of the 85 residents who were unable to escape the campfire.
After a moment of silence, members of the Paradise community seal meaningful items into time capsules. They will remain sealed until the 25th anniversary of the Camp Fire in 2043.
The event began Saturday with a pancake breakfast at nonprofit wellness center Paradise Stronger.
Prior to the pancake breakfast, wildfire survivors met with state and local leaders at the California State Capitol and presented them with letters of appreciation for their advocacy efforts.
“For the past five years, we have continued to work with nearly 100 agencies toward a common vision. We develop healthy, prosperous regions through common purpose, unite community partners, and support all unique and long-term goals. “short-term recovery,” said Camp Fire Collaborative Board Chair Megan Kurtz.
The Camp Fire destroyed approximately 11,000 homes in the town and forced the evacuation of most of the 26,000 people who lived there. Five years later, only about 2,400 homes have been rebuilt. More is being built every day. The town is currently home to just under 10,000 people.
PG&E has pleaded guilty to 84 counts of manslaughter, filed for bankruptcy and announced plans to bury 10,000 miles of power lines. The town has installed warning sirens and is working to secure evacuation routes.
November 2 summary: See the impact of the Camp Fire 5 years later
Sunday’s event included community daffodil painting by Paradise Garden Club, Rebuild Paradise, Deja Vu Nursery and Adventist Health, as daffodils are the town’s official flower.
Paradise Performing Arts Center led the five-day celebration’s main event, “Street Eats & Local Beats,” featuring food, musicians, and special performances by Big Mo & the Full Moon Band.
Click here to RSVP At any of the Campfire 5th Anniversary Events.
The Masonic Temple Association will also hold a Camp Fire 5th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday at Table Mountain Masonic Lodge starting at 6:30 a.m. and throughout the day.
Go deeper: ABC10’s FIRE-POWER-MONEY team obtained 1,500 photo and video evidence used to convict PG&E of 85 felonies in Camp Fire, but thousands of pages sealed by court order It remains as it is. For nearly three years, ABC10’s Fire-Power-Money team has been on the front lines covering California’s wildfire crisis, the dangers of PG&E’s power lines, and how the company is avoiding accountability. Ta.