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At a CalMatters virtual event, people in Paradise and fire experts recalled the terror that gripped the town and discussed rebuilding and resiliency in California.<\/strong><\/p>\n Two years after California’s deadliest wildfire <\/a>ripped through his town, killing 85 people and torching 19,000 structures, former Paradise Mayor Woody Culleton said he never questioned whether he would return to rebuild.<\/p>\n Fearful of another blaze, some residents moved, but Culleton said that homeowners and governments can take steps to make the community more resilient.<\/p>\n “This is my forever home,†he said. “This is where I will die, but hopefully from natural causes — not from fire.â€<\/p>\n At a virtual event today, CalMatters convened Paradise residents and state and local officials to discuss those solutions. The session, “Rebuilding and Resiliency: How We Need to Handle Wildfires From Now On<\/a>,†was held as California battles the most destructive fire season in modern history.<\/p>\n