In 2005 , the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( Cal Fire ) released a fire management plan for the region , which warned that the town of Paradise was at risk for an ember-driven conflagration similar to the Oakland firestorm of 1991 . The report stated , " the greatest risk to the ridge communities is from an East Wind driven fire that originates above the communities and blows downhill through developed areas . " The Camp Fire started in an area that experienced 13 large wildfires since 1999 . The area was most recently burned in 2008 following the Humboldt Fire and the larger Butte Lightning Complex fires . In June 2009 , a Butte County civil grand jury report concluded that roads leading from Paradise and Upper Ridge communities had " significant constraints " and " capacity limitations " on their use as evacuation routes . The report noted road conditions " which increases the fire danger and the possibility of being closed due to fire and or smoke " such as sharp curves , inadequate shoulders , and fire hazards adjacent to shoulders such as , " fire fuel and steep slopes . " The report also recommended a moratorium on new home construction in fire-prone areas . In September 2009 , the Butte County Board of Supervisors called the grand jury report " not reasonable , " citing improved building codes and fire prevention requirements as arguments against a moratorium
Humboldt Fire
2008 California wildfires
Camp Fire (2018)