The Camp Fire is now the deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record in the history of California. The number of deaths continues to climb towards 100, with more than 500 people still unaccounted for. The Camp Fire completely decimated the town of Paradise, pop. 26,000, burning more than 12,000 homes and buildings and scorching 142,000 acres (four times the size of San Francisco). Many Paradise residents are now homeless with few to no resources to support them as they consider their futures. Climate trends including extreme heat, wind and drought contributed to the intensity and pace of the Camp Fire. At one point, the Camp Fire was burning at a rate of one football field per second. Unprecedented in impact, the Camp Fire follows the Carr Fire near Redding, California earlier this year (August). Fire storms have become part of the "new" normal for California and likely are an indicator for other parts of the country and the world that historically deal with wildfires. The loss of life, property and natural resources including habitat for animals, is inconceivable for the residents of Paradise today. Please consider supporting the people and community of Paradise, and the firefighters who risked their lives, and continue to as firestorms are the new "abnormal."
Jim and I are extending our support through the North Valley Community Foundation. Please consider supporting them as well.