The fire in Paradise took on a troubling new dimension Friday as the wind turned ominously, forcing evacuation of fully one-third of the city's 27,000 residents.
On Thursday, as one portion of the city was asked to evacuate, an elderly woman died of a heart attack while preparing to leave her home. Her name had not been released, but the death revealed the unique effort required to protect a town with a large population of retirees.
Not only is smoke from the Humboldt fire particularly troubling to the elderly, but the stress of evacuating can often be more difficult to bear. Many also have mobility limitations and special medical needs.
According to U.S. census data, 27 percent of Paradise residents are over 65. The median age is 47, compared with 33 statewide.
"It's a difficult challenge," said Pamela Hospers, Butte County public authority manager. "We have a significant number of elderly people in wheelchairs at the shelters. It's very confusing, very frustrating when you have to change and leave everything you know."
The National Weather Service predicted Friday that winds would weaken somewhat but shift from the northwest to the south, potentially blowing the fire directly into Paradise. By 7 p.m. Friday the fire had grown to 22,833 acres and was 20 percent contained.
Fifty homes have burned, as well as numerous outbuildings. The cause of the fire, named for its point of origin near the intersection of Humboldt Road and Highway 32, remains unknown.
In response to the shifting winds, fire officials ordered the evacuation of 4,600 more Paradise residents Friday morning, bringing the total to nearly 9,000. Many of the elderly had to be evacuated in buses because they don't drive. Others, bedridden or in wheelchairs, were moved in vans or ambulances.
Terry Irion, a retired Chico fire captain, called the Humboldt fire exactly the sort of disaster that local fire officials have long feared. The area in question has not burned in a long time, meaning a lot of flammable fuel is available to feed the fire.
The burn area also covers a fan of steep canyons on the flanks of Paradise, which produce aggressive fire behavior and are difficult to access.
Add in the vulnerable population, he said, and you've got the makings for a potential nightmare.
"I've fought enough fires up there in this kind of weather to know that I'm glad I'm retired now," said Irion. "It's one we've always talked about: one of these days there's going to be a fire go up into Paradise, and we're not going to be able to stop it. This could be that fire."
Recognizing the grave threat, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection poured resources on the fire.
The number of fire engines assigned to the blaze swelled from 78 Friday morning to 535 by the afternoon. More than 2,000 firefighters converged on the town from all over the state.
There were also eight air tankers, 10 helicopters and 14 bulldozers working the fire.
Additional resources were arriving from Nevada, and more were on standby in Oregon.
Five firefighters have suffered minor burns while working the fire so far.
"There's a sense of urgency in all the Cal Fire employees right now," said fire spokesman Scott Upton. "What's happening is, everyone is emotionally involved. Not in a panicked sense. But they want to win. They want to beat this thing back."
Paradise has had close calls, but previous fires only skirted the town. This time the fire has burned at least two homes in town. The rest burned in nearby unincorporated areas.
The ridge community is nestled among oaks and pines and accessible primarily via just three main arteries: Clark, Pentz and Skyway roads.
"We have feared this kind of situation because we are so vulnerable," said Town Manager Chuck Rough Jr.
To handle evacuees, emergency officials opened two more shelters Friday, bringing the total to seven for people and three for animals. One of the new shelters is Acker Gym on the Chico State University campus, large enough for 1,900 people.
Call The Bee's Matt Weiser, (916) 321-1264. The Bee's Chris Bowman and Chelsea Phua contributed to this report. Todd Milbourn and Phua reported from Paradise.
