It’s been six weeks to the day since the Camp Fire ignited and roared through the Butte County community of Paradise, killing 86 people and destroying nearly 14,000 single residences on its way to becoming the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in modern California history.
On Thursday night, "After Paradise" — the show North State Public Radio launched to cover the fallout of the Camp Fire — will switch from daily to weekly broadcasts. But there's more than enough to keep talking about.
Public radio host Tess Vigeland was between jobs when she spotted a Facebook post from NSPR’s general manager, Phil Wilke, saying, “Look, we have a teeny tiny staff. It’s been the most horrendous, tough couple weeks of our careers and we need help!”
Vigeland then spent three weeks helping to launch "After Paradise" as a volunteer host, producer, reporter and editor. She saw the story evolve over that short time.
"This is going to be a very long recovery process for the entire community, here in Chico and Paradise and beyond, and we’re here for that," she said.