CA Camp Fire Relief for Bill Husa

On November 8th a fire, now known as the ‘Camp Fire’, started in Paradise California; a fire that has now claimed at least 85 lives. That morning I got a text from my mother as she was leaving Paradise saying the air seemed funny and her partner Bill thought there might be a fire. There was, in fact, a fire—now the most destructive in California history. Bill did not have much notice; he grabbed the clothing in the dryer, one box of photo negatives, and left all else behind. He could not go back in to save anything else because he could hear the fire behind him. No one expected the destruction or causalities to follow. Within a matter of hours, the fire spread out of control and destroyed most of the town. Along with many others, Bill Husa lost everything but his life in the fire.

Bill has been an amazing part of my family for many years now and has brought so much joy to us with his generosity and adventurous spirit. He has always had a love for the woods and being outdoors. The house he lost we often called ‘Camp Husa’ where he hosted many get-togethers for friends and neighbors; a place where people came together. He has lived in this home for 10 years, but has roots in Paradise since 1972 when his grandparents got the first Husa cabin in Paradise.

Tragically, this disaster came after the passing of Bill’s father Terry. Bill and his siblings have been working to bring their father’s things back to Paradise. They finished the process just a few days before the fire. The service to celebrate his father’s life is scheduled for this coming Saturday.

Bill has spent 39 years as a Photo Journalist for the Northern California community. He has been an important part of the Chico Enterprise Record newspaper for 18 years, documenting everything from the joy of the annual Almond Bowl Football game to the heartbreak of families affected by forest fires in adjacent communities. Bill was instrumental in the coverage of the Oroville Dam Spillway Crisis. He made daily trips into the evacuation zone to capture images and videos of the damage to the dam. His footage was invaluable to local officials, residents and local and national news. While evacuating his home he made several stops to take photos for the local paper and helped a man whose car had caught on fire as they fled. Through his photojournalism, he’s helped our community celebrate our highs and mourn our lows. In his time of need, I hope to be able to help him get back on his feet to do what he loves most: serving our community.

 I am asking folks to do anything they can to provide him with support and stability–to make a tangible positive difference in Bill’s life. The funds raised here will help Bill with living expenses, supplies, and beginning to rebuild: he has no savings. Bill will be pulling funds directly to use for his recovery. So many people have lost everything in this fire. Please consider giving to this campaign, but also please reach out to others in the area, please volunteer, and please donate to community organizations. Our community of Paradise and Chico will need a range of supports to get through this disaster together. Thank you and stay safe.