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Paradise Prepared for Fire -- But It Wasn't Enough

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PARADISE, CA - NOVEMBER 09: Cars destroyed by the Camp Fire sit in the lot at a used car dealership on November 9, 2018 in Paradise, California. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, the rapidly spreading Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise and has quickly charred 70,000 acres and has destroyed numerous homes and businesses in a matter of hours. The fire is currently at five percent containment. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

After two fires burned right up to the edge of town in 2008, the town of Paradise made a plan. It divided itself into evacuation zones. It went so far as to hold a mock evacuation during morning rush hour. People knew what they were supposed to do if fire came back. And yet last week’s Camp Fire was moving so fast that all the residents fled at once, exit routes clogged, and more people died than in any other fire in state history. Visit KQED.org or SacBee.com to see more wildfire reporting.

Guest: Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee reporter

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