North Complex Fire

Artists and musicians from the Fire and Music Project joined volunteers at a pile burn hosted by the Butte Prescribed Burn Association last month. See photos and hear an audio postcard from that day.

This year, at least 500 more acres in Butte County were burned with prescribed fire than last year. Also, burn scar residents could see a payment plan option implemented by Butte County early this year that would make it easier to pay for some rebuilding expenses, and yesterday marked the beginning of 2024, which for many residents in Chico, means a frosty dip in Sycamore Pool.

In rural Butte County, wildfire survivors who moved into RVs after their homes burned down face a deadline to rebuild or relocate. But affordable housing is hard to find in the burn scar.

Areas in Butte County recovering from disaster or drought may be able to use delivered or hauled water kept in storage tanks more permanently depending on tomorrow’s board of supervisors discussion.

Fire survivors in Butte County must pay permit fees up front, but many say it’s an obstacle to rebuilding. The county is looking to change that by creating a new payment plan system for survivors that could start by the beginning of next year.

There are payment plans for electricity, phone and healthcare bills, but not for rebuilding permits if you’re a wildfire survivor. Butte County is looking into changing that, maybe by the start of the year. Also, some landowners in Butte County are currently voting on the formation of the controversial Tuscan Water District, and the Chico City Council meets tonight to discuss whether sewer assessments for new connections should be collected on the tax roll and the effects of a new bill that increases the limits for city councilors’ compensation.

Dozens affected by the Bear Fire or North Complex gathered Friday evening (Sept. 22) to address the looming expiration of permits that allow them to live in RVs and trailers on their properties. NSPR’s Erik Adams reports.

At the end of the year, it could be illegal for survivors of the Bear Fire, later known as the North Complex, to live in RVs if they aren’t actively rebuilding. An ordinance that allowed people to do so is set to expire this December.

Feather Falls community reunites on the three-year anniversary of the Bear Fire, later known as the North Complex, which leveled the communities of Berry Creek and Feather Falls.

Berry Creek Elementary had 70 students in 2020. Now, nearly three years after the Bear Fire burned down the school there are fewer than half still attending. With no new school rebuilt in the community yet, many students have to be transported more than 30 minutes to the elementary’s temporary site in Bangor.