The town of Paradise is experiencing a remarkable resurgence seven years after the devastating Camp Fire, which is now depicted in the film “The Lost Bus.” The movie, based on the true story of a school bus driver and a teacher who saved children during the fire, is now in select theaters.
In the aftermath of the fire, Paradise’s population plummeted to below 5,000. However, since January 2019, it has more than doubled to over 11,000 residents. As of April 2025, 39% of the town’s pre-2019 housing stock is back in use, with 5,137 habitable homes, up from just 1,720 in 2019. Currently, an average of 700 homes is under construction at any given time, and more than 3,400 new homes have already been completed in 2025 alone.
The return of consumers has attracted businesses back to the area, with the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce (PRCoC) reporting a 20% increase in membership since 2022. Mark Thorp, a business advocate for the PRCoC, acknowledged the town’s association with the fire but emphasized the community’s resilience.
