Fire History
Butte County experienced the deadliest wildfire in California history. The 2018 Camp Fire destroyed the entire town of Paradise (18,804 structures, 85 fatalities) in under 90 minutes. The fire started near Pulga and traveled through Concow and Magalia before reaching Paradise. The 2020 North Complex Fire further burned through the Feather River canyon. The Berry Creek community was destroyed in that fire. Butte County's ridge communities remain among the highest fire-risk in the state.
Local Compliance Notes
CAL FIRE Butte Unit serves unincorporated SRA areas. Paradise, Magalia, Concow, and Berry Creek are rebuilding under mandatory Zone Zero construction standards for new structures. Existing structures in these rebuilt communities and in neighboring Chico foothills, Oroville hillsides, and Cohasset area face Phase 1 and Phase 2 compliance timelines. Contact CAL FIRE Butte Unit for assessment scheduling.
Neighborhoods in Zone Zero
High-FHSZ communities in Butte County include Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Berry Creek, Cohasset, Stirling City, Oroville foothills, Palermo, and communities along the Feather River canyon.
Local FAQs
Are rebuilt Paradise homes automatically Zone Zero compliant? New construction built after the Camp Fire must comply with Zone Zero requirements immediately upon final regulation adoption. If your home was rebuilt under 2019 or later building permits, it was likely built to WUI Chapter 7A standards. Contact your building department to confirm Zone Zero compliance status for your specific permit.