2019: Paradise, California, Camp Fire Recovery
Local residents call Paradise "The Ridge" because the town is built on a ridge with elevations ranging from 610 to 853 meters above sea level.The new sign greets motorists as they enter Paradise. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Paradise and Magalia, California
The debris of burned homes and trees has been removed leaving empty lots in a neighborhood in Paradise that was almost completely destroyed by the Camp Fire. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Lori Hornback was living in this home with her husband, Jon, when a wildfire spread through the town of Paradise. They now live in a home in Paradise spared by the fire, with their two grown children, grandchildren, in-laws and relatives. (Elizabeth Lee/V
Valentin Martinez looks at what the remains of his home, where he lived with his wife and son. Fleeing the fire, he was able to save a few things: his mother's and father-in-law's ashes and a few photos.(Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
A building in Paradise burned by the fire remains, a reminder of the destructive force of the wildfire. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
The Camp Fire destroyed a McDonalds fast food restaurant in Paradise. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
A slab is all that remains of the Hornback homestead. Lori Hornback brought her two children home to this house after giving birth to them. She raised her family here and later, her grown son lived in this house with his wife. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Jon Hornback and Lori Hornback own Ridge Construction. The company's team, including Jon Hornback and his son-in-law, are currently rebuilding two houses in Paradise. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Jon Hornback and his team are building the home that received the first building permit in Paradise (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
The school district in Paradise lost half of its enrollment after the Camp Fire. The high school's athletic direct says 85% of the remaining students at Paradise High School play at least one sport. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Rick Prinz is the head coach of Paradise High School. He had planned to retire but since the fire, he decided to stay and continue to coach football. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
The Paradise High School football team were undefeated in the regular season, winning 10 games and a spot in the play-offs. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
The Camp Fire raged through town three months after Anne Stearns started her job as the athletic director of Paradise High School. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Many high school football players say being on the field gives them a sense of normalcy after the Camp Fire destroyed 90% of Paradise. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Kevin Lindstrom, the pastor of Magalia Community Church said his faith has been strengthened since the fire, having seen numerous miracles since the fire of God providing for the distribution center. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
As a part of the Magalia Community Church distribution center, tents have been set up to house donated clothing, household items and furniture for fire survivors. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Donations to the Magalia Community Church's distribution center have been arriving from across the U.S. throughout the year. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
Some displaced fire survivors have been living in trailers parked in the parking lot of Magalia Community Church. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
The Magalia Community Church now serves as a distribution center that feeds and clothes survivors of the fire who are still displaced. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
The Magalia Community Church distribution center has been providing fresh vegetables, food, new and used clothes and person hygiene items -- all donated -- for fire survivors who can come once a week. (Elizabeth Lee/VOA News)
A fallen Paradise sign at Round Valley Ranch and Clark Roads. (Elizabeth Lee)