Rebuilding Paradise begins by chronicling the
2018 Camp Fire, part of the
2018 California wildfires, which occurred in
Paradise on November 8, 2018, through videos recorded by locals and a policeman. Prior, warnings of a potential fire exacerbated by strong winds had been declared. As predicted, the fire spread rapidly, destroying objects in a short period of time. Mandatory evacuation was soon declared. Residents are warned to evacuate on foot, though most violated and continued driving; many made their way out, while others died of suffocation. The residents of Paradise then describe their close connection to the town. Former mayor Woody Culleton recalls being an alcoholic living in the
caravan of a backyard in 1981; he sobered up three years later, became an official in 2004, and subsequently became mayor. Meanwhile, many survivors were assisted by
disaster recovery centers, though certain residents doubts Paradise will be rebuilt. A memorial was later held honoring the dead. A month after the fire, the process of rebuilding was announced by the head of the Paradise Police. People later began living in the territory in
trailers, they also reunite at a small party held by Paradise police officer Matt Gates. Three months later, however, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states that, due to the discovery of various lethal chemicals like
benzene, debris must be removed before any property can be placed; this is met with reluctance-filled resident-government clashes. This slowly found a solution, and Culleton becomes the first person permitted to rebuild his house. While more houses were starting to be built, FEMA also made temporary houses. The
Paradise High School also reopens by celebrating delayed graduates. On June 11, 2019,
community leader Philip Allan John died from cardiac arrest; his wife, Michelle John, says that this and the Camp Fire stresses the need to prioritize health first. A resident says that the younger generations may not see a better future retaining in Paradise, as it was before the fire. However the film later shines more hope on a better future of the community, through the perseverance of its residents. Meanwhile, the film reflects: while strong winds and the area's history of logging were factors in the fire, the
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was the main one. After the forecast predicting strong winds and elevated wildfire risk, the company claimed that it had cut the power to its
transmission lines, but it became clear that it had not, as hardware on a poorly maintained line in the
Feather River Canyon failed, igniting sparks and starting the fire. This revelation led to an outcry among residents, who called the company ignorant; Culleton sent a letter featuring photos of the aftermath. Paradise attorney Joe Early and environmental activist
Erin Brockovich filed a lawsuit; the former said the company never cared about the environment during his experience working with them, and the latter said the company is responsible for much more incidents. The
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) deemed PG&E responsible. Nine months after the fire,
prescribed burning was done towards the young trees in an effort to prevent future similar fires. == Production ==