On Nov. 8, 2018, the town of Paradise, California, suffered the worst fire in a state known for wildfire disasters. Twenty-five thousand lived in Paradise on that day, when 14,000 homes were destroyed, and 85 people died.
Eight months later, the population is estimated at three to four thousand. But as the people of this town say, they are Paradise Strong.
On March 28, the town issued its first building permit; less than four months later that first house was rebuilt. Paradise is fighting back and is determined to rebuild in a way that is safe and sustainable for the future.
THIS OLD HOUSE is there to help. In this four-part series, we follow the progress as several young families struggle to reconstruct homes and lives altered by the fire.
We meet the builders who explore new techniques and materials that can survive an inferno. We do our part to help Paradise recover. Rebuilding this town will be a long, arduous process. But it starts one house at a time.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: "Paradise Lost" airs Saturday, Feb. 1 at at Noon and Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 11 p.m. - A year after California's worst wildfire, the people of Paradise are still clearing the devastation. About 90% of the homes were lost. Kevin, Tom, and Richard meet three families determined to rebuild according to the wildland urban interface codes.
Episode 2: "Paradise Out Of The Ashes" airs Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 at Noon and Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 11:30 p.m. - Joe the homeowner fabricates a stone hearth. Richard learns about automatic sprinkler systems. Kevin sees a simulator that shows how the Camp Fire spread. Tom inspects a vent that's designed to resist embers. Another project gets the green light.
Episode 3: "Paradise No Pain No Gain" airs Saturday, Feb. 15 at Noon and Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 11 p.m. - Luke and Crystal are moving in. Kevin visits a fire test lab. Jose and Anna's house gets roof shingles. Mark installs a stone veneer at Avonlea and Joey's house. Kevin tours farms around Paradise. Jenn meets an architect who designed a town memorial.
Episode 4: "Paradise Strong" airs Saturday, Feb. 22 at Noon and Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 11:30 p.m. - Tom inspects engineered siding and fire-rated sheathing. Richard looks at a solar backup battery. Former Paradise fire chief discusses advanced preparation with Kevin. At the Hope Plaza Memorial ground-breaking, the heroes and survivors are honored.
Watch On Your Schedule:
Stream on ThisOldHouse.com and the THIS OLD HOUSE App.
Join The Conversation:
THIS OLD HOUSE on Facebook and Instagram. Follow @ThisOldHouse on Twitter. #TOHRebuildingParadise
