Caldor Fire survivors face slow Grizzly Flats rebuild. Here’s what to know
Nearly five years after the Caldor Fire destroyed about 785 homes in Grizzly Flats, only a small fraction have been rebuilt. Families like the Magidsons remain split between temporary housing as they navigate denied individual federal aid, insurance gaps and a looming deadline on living in RVs.
FULL STORY: FEMA slows Grizzly Flats rebuild after Caldor Fire. ‘We need to help ourselves’
Here are key takeaways:
The damage: The Caldor Fire started Aug. 14, 2021, burned for 68 days and spread across nearly 221,900 acres in El Dorado, Alpine and Amador counties. About two-thirds of the destroyed homes were in Grizzly Flats, and nearly 600 were primary residences.
Slow rebuild: El Dorado County has received about 115 applications to rebuild in Grizzly Flats. As of mid-April, only about 70 of those projects are built.
Federal aid denied: FEMA approved public assistance for government entities but denied aid to individuals rebuilding their homes, according to county Planning and Building Director Karen Garner. Many residents were also uninsured after being dropped by carriers or unable to afford rates.
School setback: A groundbreaking for a new $9 million Walt Tyler Elementary School was expected this April but has been delayed until the remaining $3 million is secured. About 24 displaced students now ride an hour-and-twenty-minute bus route to Pioneer Elementary in Somerset.
RV deadline looms: The county policy allowing residents to live in RVs on their properties is set to expire at the end of the year, raising concerns about homelessness. Garner plans to ask the county board to extend it by a year and a half.
New housing hope: Twelve new Title 25 rural dwelling homes — about 750 square feet with two bedrooms — are expected to be built through a partnership between El Dorado County and HomeAid Sacramento, at roughly $146,000 each.
