‘Dark tourism’ comes to Camp Fire-ravaged Paradise. But please, no selfie sticks
In the coming weeks, the
"We can get a bus,"
The fire was the worst wildland blaze in state history, killing 85 people and destroying nearly 19,000 structures. On Wednesday, the state's fire agency,
In making the pilgrimage,
Numerous officials from other cities and counties have visited as well, hoping to take home lessons they've learned. Film crews have come to document the scene. Academics and researchers have spent time in town.
And a few people may have shown up simply out of curiosity to see what a destroyed town looks like, officials say. That phenomenon, sometimes called "dark tourism," can be controversial at times, but invited other times.
Millions of travelers annually trek to sites where trauma and death occurred, such as
But
Nolan said she encourages visitors to come up for shopping and recreation. But they should stay on main roads. Officials do not want gawkers with selfie sticks getting in the way of reconstruction.
Local Assemblyman
"You absolutely have to see the devastation to fully appreciate what happened and all that needs to happen in the recovery," he said. "Maybe they can get a better picture of where they can play a role in the recovery. I hope they will step up and take that responsibility."
Sen.
Those who visit will see a landscape of dramatic contrasts. Thousands of destroyed home sites remain much as they were after the fire -- dead lots filled with ash, debris, twisted and melted metal, and burned husks of cars. One local official said many former residential neighborhoods feel like a cemetery.
But much has changed in the six months since the fire. The ridge is now crowded daily with workers removing debris, trimming trees and fixing utilities. Hundreds of trucks are hauling rubble off the hillside, sometimes creating congestion on the handful of access roads. A smattering of businesses are open in town, and some homeowners have hired contractors to begin to rebuild.
It's made visitation complicated.
"There are still significant hazards around
He said the state recently turned down a requested tour from a foreign delegation because their group was large and didn't have any particular focus other than general curiosity.
She joined the annual Chico Wildflower bike ride that includes
"I was dumbfounded by what I saw." Her classroom and the entire school were gone. "It was super emotional. I really let loose," she said.
But as she rode through town, she also saw flowers and trees blooming and lots being cleaned. She saw one property where the house had burned to the ground, but someone appeared to be continuing to mow and water the lawn.
"There was more life than I thought," she said. "More activity. I felt hope."
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