![His town burned in California’s most destructive fire. This is his advice for rebuilding in L.A.](/static/images/error.jpg)
His town burned in California’s most destructive fire. This is his advice for rebuilding in L.A.
LA TimesGreg Bolin returned to his home in Paradise, Calif., to find his wife in tears. It’s just a lot of work.” Healing a broken community “You’ve got to get your schools, your churches and your businesses open yesterday,” Bolin recalled the Federal Emergency Management Agency telling him after the fire. “If you don’t, people will have nothing to do, and kids will have nothing to rally around.” After the fire, Paradise’s churches jumped in to help with fire relief, and the town made a point to bring back its annual town parade as quickly as possible, Bolin said. “They can’t even look at this place because it’s nothing like it was before.” FEMA told Bolin after the fire that at least a third of the town would likely leave, and at least another third would likely stay. “If you don’t change those things and do that differently … you’re just setting yourself up for another one.” Even with Paradise’s recovery progress, Bolin is still conscious of the threat future fire poses.
History of this topic
![What to learn from rebuilding of Paradise after 2018 wildfire? Plenty, says top insurance executive](/static/images/error.jpg)
What to learn from rebuilding of Paradise after 2018 wildfire? Plenty, says top insurance executive
LA Times![5 years after California's deadliest wildfire, survivors forge different paths toward recovery](/static/images/error.jpg)
5 years after California's deadliest wildfire, survivors forge different paths toward recovery
The Independent![5 years after California’s deadliest wildfire, survivors forge different paths toward recovery](/static/images/error.jpg)
5 years after California’s deadliest wildfire, survivors forge different paths toward recovery
Associated Press![Five years after the Camp fire, Paradise survivors see a hard future for Maui](/static/images/error.jpg)
Five years after the Camp fire, Paradise survivors see a hard future for Maui
LA Times![We survived the Paradise fire. For Lahaina survivors, escape from hell will mark them forever](/static/images/error.jpg)
We survived the Paradise fire. For Lahaina survivors, escape from hell will mark them forever
LA Times![Scenes of devastation as wildfire burns Hawaii resort town](/static/images/error.jpg)
Scenes of devastation as wildfire burns Hawaii resort town
Al Jazeera![They lost everything in the Paradise fire. Now they’re reliving their grief as fires rage in Hawaii](/static/images/error.jpg)
They lost everything in the Paradise fire. Now they’re reliving their grief as fires rage in Hawaii
Associated Press![They lost everything in the Paradise fire. Now they're reliving their grief as fires rage in Hawaii](/static/images/error.jpg)
They lost everything in the Paradise fire. Now they're reliving their grief as fires rage in Hawaii
The Independent![In Fire Scorched California, Town Aims To Buy The Highest At-Risk Properties](/static/images/error.jpg)
In Fire Scorched California, Town Aims To Buy The Highest At-Risk Properties
NPR![Paradise again threatened as deadly fires push toward towns gutted by 2018 inferno](/static/images/error.jpg)
Paradise again threatened as deadly fires push toward towns gutted by 2018 inferno
LA Times![Amid smoke and ash, wildfire-scarred Paradise rebuilds](/static/images/error.jpg)
Amid smoke and ash, wildfire-scarred Paradise rebuilds
Associated Press![Explosive fire again threatens Paradise, town devastated by California’s deadliest blaze](/static/images/error.jpg)
Explosive fire again threatens Paradise, town devastated by California’s deadliest blaze
LA Times![Paradise community gathers on anniversary of Camp Fire](/static/images/error.jpg)
Paradise community gathers on anniversary of Camp Fire
Associated Press![Paradise rebuilds, but fire safety sometimes takes a back seat to economic realities](/static/images/error.jpg)
Paradise rebuilds, but fire safety sometimes takes a back seat to economic realities
LA Times![A year after Paradise fire, California lawmakers hope to keep history from repeating](/static/images/error.jpg)
A year after Paradise fire, California lawmakers hope to keep history from repeating
LA Times![Safety questions still swirl in Paradise year after wildfire](/static/images/error.jpg)
Safety questions still swirl in Paradise year after wildfire
Associated Press![Safety questions still swirl in Paradise year after wildfire](/static/images/error.jpg)
Safety questions still swirl in Paradise year after wildfire
Associated Press![Residents Of Paradise And Other Towns Destroyed By Wildfire Must Wait To Go Home](/static/images/error.jpg)
Residents Of Paradise And Other Towns Destroyed By Wildfire Must Wait To Go Home
NPR![Must Reads: Here’s how Paradise ignored warnings and became a deathtrap](/static/images/error.jpg)
Must Reads: Here’s how Paradise ignored warnings and became a deathtrap
LA Times![Wildfire scientists warn it’s only getting worse](/static/images/error.jpg)
Wildfire scientists warn it’s only getting worse
CNN![Paradise evacuees return to charred homes almost one month after deadly Camp fire](/static/images/error.jpg)
Paradise evacuees return to charred homes almost one month after deadly Camp fire
LA Times![Some evacuation orders lifted for California wildfire area](/static/images/error.jpg)
Some evacuation orders lifted for California wildfire area
Associated Press![Editorial: Rebuild Paradise? California has to reconsider putting homes in the path of more dangerous fires](/static/images/error.jpg)
Editorial: Rebuild Paradise? California has to reconsider putting homes in the path of more dangerous fires
LA Times![California fire: What started as a tiny brush fire became the state’s deadliest wildfire. Here’s how](/static/images/error.jpg)
California fire: What started as a tiny brush fire became the state’s deadliest wildfire. Here’s how
LA Times![Paradise lost: How California’s deadliest wildfire unfolded](/static/images/error.jpg)
Paradise lost: How California’s deadliest wildfire unfolded
CNN![California wildfires: Death toll rises to 65, searches underway for 630 missing people](/static/images/error.jpg)
California wildfires: Death toll rises to 65, searches underway for 630 missing people
ABC![As California’s deadliest wildfire closed in, evacuation orders were slow to arrive](/static/images/error.jpg)
As California’s deadliest wildfire closed in, evacuation orders were slow to arrive
LA Times![Despite fire after fire, Paradise continued to boom — until California’s worst wildfire hit](/static/images/error.jpg)
Despite fire after fire, Paradise continued to boom — until California’s worst wildfire hit
LA Times![California fires: Authorities, relatives step up search for at least 228 missing](/static/images/error.jpg)
California fires: Authorities, relatives step up search for at least 228 missing
ABC![Death toll from the Paradise fire jumps to 42, making it the worst in California history](/static/images/error.jpg)
Death toll from the Paradise fire jumps to 42, making it the worst in California history
LA Times![California wildfire: At least 23 killed, over 2.5 lakh residents ordered to evacuate as rescue missions continue](/static/images/error.jpg)
California wildfire: At least 23 killed, over 2.5 lakh residents ordered to evacuate as rescue missions continue
Firstpost![‘It’s gone. Paradise is gone.’ Fire destroys a town, taking so many lives with it](/static/images/error.jpg)
‘It’s gone. Paradise is gone.’ Fire destroys a town, taking so many lives with it
LA Times![Camp Fire in Northern California is now the most destructive in state history](/static/images/error.jpg)
Camp Fire in Northern California is now the most destructive in state history
Daily Mail![Stunning NASA Photos Show California's Devastating Wildfires From Space](/static/images/error.jpg)
Stunning NASA Photos Show California's Devastating Wildfires From Space
Huff Post![California fires: Camp Fire and Hill Fire burn thousands of acres.](/static/images/error.jpg)
California fires: Camp Fire and Hill Fire burn thousands of acres.
Slate![California wildfires: Tens of thousands forced to flee as entire city ‘pretty much’ destroyed by blaze](/static/images/error.jpg)
California wildfires: Tens of thousands forced to flee as entire city ‘pretty much’ destroyed by blaze
The Independent![Wildfire devastates California town of Paradise](/static/images/error.jpg)
Wildfire devastates California town of Paradise
Associated Press![Paradise fire becomes one of California’s worst: 6,700 structures lost; at least nine dead](/static/images/error.jpg)
Paradise fire becomes one of California’s worst: 6,700 structures lost; at least nine dead
LA Times![Hundreds trapped and thousands flee an area of northern California as blaze swells to 5,000 acres](/static/images/error.jpg)
Hundreds trapped and thousands flee an area of northern California as blaze swells to 5,000 acres
Daily Mail![Paradise, Calif., Destroyed By Wildfire, Authorities Say](/static/images/error.jpg)
Paradise, Calif., Destroyed By Wildfire, Authorities Say
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