CALIFORNIA, USA — Wednesday will mark five years since the deadly Camp Fire tore through Butte County.
The images shocked the world when the fast-moving flames burned down 90% of the structures that once stood in Paradise, California in November 2018. But Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Neil Weitzel doesn't need a video to remember. He was there as part of a strike team.
“The way that fire grew is just incredible,” Weitzel said. “We started the afternoon at Paradise at about four o'clock. And that night, we were doing defensive firing operations on the border of Chico. So the way that fire grew in that, in that what 12-hour period was just unreal, it was some of the most explosive fire growth I've ever seen.”
Eighty-five people lost their lives in what is the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history, and first responders are still haunted by the question: could they have done more?
“There's only one way in and one way out of that area. So you're trying to get all sorts of equipment into the area, while at the same time getting everybody out of the area,” Weitzel said. “When you have a fire that's growing like that, with winds that are that high and, and fire spreading the way it did, I think we did the best that we were able, you know, it's not something it's like trying to stop a hurricane that's on fire.”
The fire destroyed about 11,000 homes in Butte County. In the last five years, about 2,500 homes have been rebuilt. Teri Rubiolo's house is one of them.
“Honestly at times I feel super guilty,” Rubiolo said, “Because there's so many older people or people with families that are still in trailers or living with family, on properties in vehicles and stuff.”
Rubiolo is one of the lucky ones to have a house again, but many of her friends and neighbors are not as fortunate, still living in mobile homes and struggling to get fire insurance.
Despite the challenges survivors are still facing, the town is seeing new growth. About 700 homes are currently under construction, with many being built on the same lots where homes were lost in the Camp Fire.
What Weitzel remembers most about the two weeks he spent in Paradise still brings tears to his eyes. The sense of community and appreciation from Paradise residents is something not even flames could melt away.
“Everybody was so grateful, you couldn't go out to eat without the cashier telling you somebody bought your dinner,” Weitzel said. “And it's — the gratitude was — it almost felt misplaced because the person whose house just burned down is trying to buy you dinner and those are the memories that stick out."
Watch more on ABC10
