GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Sunday marked the two-year anniversary of the devastating Camp Fire that leveled Paradise and forever changed the lives of many in our area.

Some have returned to Paradise to rebuild, while others have found a home in our community or are still in limbo looking for a long-term housing solution. Survivors have been steadily transitioning out of Gridley’s FEMA group site. According to FEMA representatives, the Gridley site currently has 134 occupied units, which includes survivors consolidated from other sites that have been phased out.

Even for those that have settled, the past two years have been a long process of healing and rebuilding. Last year we spoke with Avalon and Rocky Gluckman. They chose to rebuild their home in Paradise, but Avalon shares that two years later, they are still facing delays and working with the contractors has been frustrating. “It’s taking way too long…” she says and the contractor blames the bureaucrats and constantly shifting permit and policy changes. “We’re having a mental breakdown,” says Avalon staying strong although the waiting is difficult.

The Gluckmans brought their friends Bob and Pam Hennessey to the Butte Fires Distribution Center for supplies. The Henesseys recently lost their home to the Bear/North Complex fire and are starting out on the process that the Gluckmans are now 2 years into. Together they are all moving forward but the frustrations and anger is still present.

The Bear/Northern Complex fire rekindled many tough emotions for Camp Fire survivors. A couple of Camp Fire survivors who we will call “Ms. X” and “Mr.Y” for privacy purposes, share their experience.

Mr. Y said the “PTSD I was feeling was just seeing the emotions of the people that went through the Berry Creek fire...When we had the whole ash storm here in Gridley...” it hit home in many ways.

Their friend, Michael Cranfill, arrived in the middle of the night running from the Berry Creek blaze in the storm of ash, singed and black with soot. Ms. X shares that after the Camp Fire destroyed their home, the couple had stayed on Cranfill’s property in Berry Creek until they were able to get placed at the FEMA group site. They have recently been able to purchase a home here in Gridley and were able to return the favor to Cranfill. Cranfill’s home had been destroyed by the Bear/North Complex fire. He attemped to save the structure by pumping water onto the roof with a generator but when the power failed things got crazy, “It just started raining fire and I knew if I didn’t go then…I just barely made it out.”

Cranfill was invited to come stay at the Camp Fire couple’s home in Gridley, allowing his friend to return the favor he had extended to them. “It’s come full circle,” says Ms. X.

Regardless of where Camp Fire survivors are in their process, many feel like John Hineke, who still volunteers at the Butte Fire Distribution center. “It feels like it’s been….a couple days.”  He says. He works alongside other Camp Fire Survivor volunteers, like Lucy Love, at the center to because they understand that healing and takes a lot longer than 2 years.