Previews Of Coming Attractions: Chico CA Swamped By 20K Fire Refugees; Tensions Growing
Not a single structure burned in the city of Chico last November. But six months after the worst wildfire in state history destroyed nearby Butte County hill towns, this once laid-back college town is suffering its own post-traumatic stress. Residents talk of frayed nerves. Leaders worry about increased crime, congestion, lack of housing and homelessness. And long-standing political divisions have reopened, leading to a recall effort this week against the mayor.
Much of it stems from one shocking day in November, when Camp Fire refugees streamed into town by the tens of thousands, some in cars scorched by fire as they fled the burning hillside above Paradise. In one swoop, Chico’s population swelled by 19,000, more than a decade’s worth of natural growth. Six months later, City Manager Mark Orme says he suspects the number of new residents remains somewhere between 10,000 and 19,000.
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The biggest post-fire issue is a lack of housing. House prices have jumped and apartment availability is close to nil, as fire victims quickly bought and rented what was available. “We had an ‘impacted’ housing market before the disaster,” said Ed Mayer, director of the Housing Authority of Butte County. “Now, we have a hyper-impacted market. We have people living in any nook and cranny they can find.”
Some of those burned out by the Camp Fire are living with relatives and friends. One Chico company set up a camper city in an undeveloped lot for 50 employees and families. Another 122 people are still living in motels in Chico and elsewhere, paid for by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some 335 households are living in temporary federal trailers in the area, according to FEMA. Another 572 households are still waiting to be moved into federal emergency trailer housing between now and the end of July. Some will live in trailers near the fairgrounds in Chico. Many of them will be relocated to a site in nearby Gridley.
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https://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article230015334.html
