Recovery from the Camp Fire was well underway, 19 months after the most destructive wildfire in state history. Then the coronavirus outbreak hit.
At stake as the pandemic plays out here is the resilience a community that’s had to tap into its stores of patience and solidarity again and again — as well as the government’s ability to manage several ongoing crises at the same time.
“It’s a blow, but we’re tough,” said Monica Nolan, who leads the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce. She was busy gathering scattered information to get an overall picture of the impact on the ridge.
The stay at home order has shuttered many small businesses which only recently were celebrating their return with ribbon-cuttings and offering the community a place to reunite.