Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

After the Fire: Visit Paradise Through the Eyes of Videomaker and Fusion

17/12/2018

community

Dec 17, 2018

Throughout every year, the team at GoPro gets to work with our friends over at Videomaker Magazine - ensuring they have a chance to put our products through the paces so they can share their impressions with their readers. We see them in-person at tradeshows and when we do big launch events. We correspond regularly on email. We are big fans of the work they do to empower their audience with encouragement, inspiration and information about the tools that enable them to go out and make videos.

Videomaker's HQ is in Chico, California, placing them at the doorstep of one of the worst wildfires in history, affecting the entire team and leaving a significant portion of displaced. We invited Videomaker to share their story with us, with words, with footage they were able to capture from fire zone, and with information on how we can all support their recovery.

Words By Sean Berry of Videomaker

This extra-long fire season has left Northern California devastated. The Camp Fire burned through Butte County and destroyed the entire town of Paradise. Evacuees have been displaced and the road to recovery will be long and hard.

The Camp Fire is officially the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history. It ignited November 8th, 2018, and wasn't fully contained until November 25th. In its nearly three week lifespan, the fire killed 85 people and destroyed almost 14,000 homes, leaving the entire community of Paradise displaced all across Butte County, California, and - for some - the country.

Paradise was a peaceful and beautiful town before the fire; there was no better name for such a place. After the fire, the tranquil town is almost unrecognizable. Videomaker, a magazine media company which focuses on video technology and technique, is located only 15 minutes from Paradise. They went to Paradise before the evacuations were lifted with a few GoPros to document the destruction:

The footage is hard to watch knowing what the town used to be. During the time of our shoot, many Paradise residents had not yet confirmed whether their homes had survived the fire. The evacuation orders are now being lifted in phases, but many are still unable to return. Unfortunately, even after all evacuation orders are lifted, much of the community will still be left homeless with nowhere to go.

360 video offers a unique perspective

It's no surprise that the Camp Fire has attracted the attention of both local and national media outlets. Professional and amateur journalists alike have done their best to record the devastation of the fire using everything from cell phones to camcorders to drones and even law enforcement body cams. All over the web, photos and videos document the destruction and recovery efforts and animated graphics give context to statistics about the fire.

But despite this extensive documentation, nothing can convey the emotional impact of this historic fire quite as well as immersive 360-degree video. 360 video gives viewers the ability to look around the scene and focus on specific areas of interest, making it especially well-suited communicating the deep and lasting impact the Camp Fire has had on the town of Paradise. We hope this perspective will emphasize the community's urgent and on-going need for assistance.

The fire may be out, but the crisis has just begun

The Camp Fire has left a huge housing crisis for Butte County and surrounding areas in its wake. 14,000 homes were destroyed in the fire, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Officials have declared a state of emergency in their homeless shelters, and federal funding is needed to help temporarily house the evacuees.

Butte County already had a homeless problem before the fire with about a homeless population of around 2,000 prior to the fire, with half of them not using the emergency shelters and transitional housing. That's according to a report by the Butte Countywide Homeless Continuum of Care. Now, the number of homeless has skyrocketed.

Jennifer Griggs, the Continuum of Care coordinator, said that after the fire not only did all of that vacancy rate get swooped up right away but now it's even more of a challenge to find any type of housing for anybody, regardless of their housing status prior.

Simply put, there's just not enough housing in Butte County to house the Paradise evacuees. The number of people seeking housing in the county has greatly increased since the fire and it seems nearly impossible to find options. Many have had to camp in make-shift campsites around the county, one of those places being a Walmart parking lot in the nearby town of Chico. FEMA is helping put evacuees into hotels and giving out money out for rental housing, but there's simply nothing out there to rent.

Its a heartbreaking situation that currently has no clear answer.

A long road to recovery

There are efforts to rebuild the town of Paradise, but it will undoubtedly take years. But many of the residents can't imagine living anywhere else, but there are some that are wary to return because of the high fire danger of the area. The question on many people's minds is whether or not it's safe to rebuild in Paradise - not to mention the trauma and healing process that prevents many residents from wanting to rebuild.

California has been stricken by severe drought for years. More frequent and more powerful wildfires have become the norm in the state. Nevertheless, there are ways to rebuild Paradise will make the town much safer and resistant to fire. More escape routes can be built, fuel breaks can be made and buildings can be created with more fire-resistant materials and design features.

A quarter of Videomaker's staff was displaced by the fire, and many lost their homes. They've set up a fundraising effort to support their staff and former staf
LINK: https://gopro.com/news/videomaker-recap-northern-california-fires...
See more stories from gopro

More from GoPro

25/09/2023

GoPro for a Cause Spotlight: Celebrating World Gorilla Day with Angela + Lulingu

To celebrate Word Gorilla Day 2023, we're sharing the story of two very special gorillas-Angela, a western lowland gorilla born at the Los Angeles Zoo-and L...

06/09/2023

GoPro for a Cause Spotlight: Celebrating Latino Conservation Week with Latino Outdoors

The week of July 15, 2023 marked the 10th anniversary of Latino Conservation Wee...

06/09/2023

SoCal Surf Trip with HERO11 Black

Recently, a group of SoCal female surfers set out on an epic weekend road trip to score some of the local, iconic breaks in the area. They took GoPro along to c...

06/09/2023

Here's the Tea: HERO12 Black Million Dollar Challenge

We're pumped to have HERO12 Black out in the wild, and we can't wait to see what you create with the latest flagship! Our most recent Million Dollar Cha...

06/09/2023

All-New Quik Desktop App for GoPro Subscribers, Coming this November

Quik desktop brings the speed and convenience of the Quik mobile app to desktop users, but with an expanded list of features and capabilities that take advantag...

06/09/2023

Introducing the New HERO12 Black + Game-Changing Max Lens Mod 2.0

The $399 Flagship Camera Features Up to 2x Longer Runtimes, 5.3K and 4K HDR Video, Wireless Audio Support for Apple AirPods Other Bluetooth Devices, Plus Pow...

05/09/2023

GoPro's Guide to the Ultimate Family Vacation: Mounting from a Kid's Perspective

We're smack dab in the middle of summer, which means it's family vacatio...

31/08/2023

GoPro Becomes the Official Action Camera Partner of MotoGP

We are excited to announce that, as of today, GoPro is the official action camera of MotoGP . The new multi-year contract sees GoPro returning as the official ...

25/08/2023

How To Use Your GoPro As A Swimming Camera

You might think swimming with a camera is complicated, but GoPro loves thinking outside the box and making things simple! Whether youre a long-distance swimmer...

25/08/2023

How To Make Time Lapse Video

With its high-resolution video, waterproof construction, built-in image stabilization, compact size and low cost compared to the majority of DSLR cameras, GoPro...

21/08/2023

SoCal Surfer Girls Trip with HERO11 Black

Recently, a group of SoCal female surfers set out on an epic weekend road trip to score some of the local, iconic breaks in the area. They took GoPro along to c...

11/08/2023

Our Hearts Are with Maui-Here's How to Support Relief Efforts

The devastating wildfires that swept across Maui over the last 48-plus hours have left countless families, victims and first responders in desperate need of aid...

08/08/2023

GoPro Becomes the Official Action Camera Partner of Formula DRIFT

We are stoked to announce that, as of today, GoPro is the official action camera partner of Formula DRIFT. Currently, the latest GoPro cameras, including HERO1...

01/08/2023

Family Portraits: Stella Liu

Family Portraits is an employee spotlight series, highlighting the incredible people at GoPro around the globe. In this series, you'll meet employees workin...

01/08/2023

Complete the Garmin GoPro Badge Challenge This Month + Get 11% Off A Camera

Unleash your inner HERO with your Garmin by participating in August's GoPro Badge Challenge. Throughout the month of August, your goal is to complete 11 act...

27/07/2023

GoPro for a Cause Spotlight: Tracking Tiger Sharks with Beneath the Waves

Each year the world tunes into Shark Week-highly anticipated programming dedicated to the science and conservation of one of the ocean's most misunderstood ...

25/07/2023

GoPro's 2023 Sustainability Snapshot: Sharing Our Progress on Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives

Were excited to announce the next step in our Corporate Social Responsibility jo...

20/07/2023

GoPro Surf Athlete Lakey Peterson Wins J-Bay WSL Comp

GoPro surf athlete Lakey Peterson put on an incredible showing at the 2023 Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa this week, ultimately earning her a well-deserved f...

17/07/2023

The 3 Best GoPro Sports Cameras in 2023

Whether you board, bike, hike, drive, ride, ski, skydive, surf, skate, run-or all the above-you need a sports camera that can keep up. And even more importantly...

01/07/2023

GoPro for a Cause Spotlight: Rescuing Seals with Ocean Conservation Namibia

Namibia is well-known in the surf community for its legendary barrels, but there is a dedicated group of locals bringing attention to the regions marine life. O...

01/07/2023

How To Use Your GoPro as the Ultimate Boat Camera

From wakeboarding and waterskiing to high-speed boating, you need an action camera to capture all the fun that happens on the water, and GoPro has you covered! ...

27/06/2023

How To Use GoPro As Skateboarding Camera

Did you know that GoPro has always been a front-runner in the skate industry? We brought an affordable video camera to skaters everywhere in the early 2000s, an...

15/06/2023

GoPro Captures One HERO's 1,000 Mile Journey to Get His Head Straight

When Alistair Klinkenburg set out on his mission to explore the different ways people deal with their head noise-after suffering years of chronic mental health ...

08/06/2023

The 2023 GoPro Mountain Games Are Taking Over Vail This Weekend

June is here and summer is in the air in Vail, Colo., and that can only mean one thing-the 2023 GoPro Mountain Games are upon us! We're back and taking over...

02/06/2023

GoPro Awards Has $100K Up for Grabs Over the Next 100 Days

Cool off this summer by fanning yourself with dollar bills from GoPro Awards! Beginning June 1, we're celebrating the season with a new GoPro Awards Challen...

20/05/2023

Best GoPro Action Camera Tripods in 2023

What is the Best GoPro Tripod? When youre traveling around the world and having new experiences, you need a tripod that can hold up wherever the journey takes ...

20/05/2023

Rare Jellyfish Captured on GoPro

What's the size of a soccer ball, swims quite fast and is more elusive than Big Foot? The Chirodectes macalatus Box jellyfish of course! Captured on GoPro...

16/05/2023

How to Capture Aurora Borealis + Greater Alaska on HERO11 Black

Last month, we joined forces with Travel Alaska to create the ultimate Alaskan bucket list adventure, bringing travel aficionados and creators from across North...

16/05/2023

Best Travel Cameras in 2023 - Ultimate GoPro Guide

What is the Best Travel Camera? Whether youre a backpacker looking for adventure or a suitcase-toting city traveler, your camera is a must-pack travel essentia...

16/05/2023

How to Use GoPro as a Helmet Camera

How to Use Your GoPro as a Helmet Camera Whether you're mountain biking, cycling cross country, cruising on your motorcycle, skiing down a mountain, flying...

10/05/2023

Announcing New $399 Price for the Award-Winning HERO11 Black

Just in time for your summer adventures, were restoring our camera lineup to lower, pre-pandemic prices. Effective worldwide today at GoPro retailers and on GoP...

26/04/2023

HERO11 Black Wins 2023 Edison Award

We at GoPro are thrilled and honored to have HERO11 Black be awarded a 2023 Edison Award. The latest flagship camera took home the Bronze in the Personal Techno...

25/04/2023

GoPro for a Cause Spotlight: Celebrating Earth Day

On Earth Day, we're honoring our home planet in the best way GoPro knows how-a video. We invite you to sit back, crank your sound up and take a few moments...

25/04/2023

Guide to HERO11 Night Photography: Celebrating International Dark Sky Week with GoPro

The following words and images are by Imaging Solutions Technical Program Manage...

19/04/2023

GoPro for a Cause Spotlight: Restoring Coral Reefs with Sustainable Surf + SeaTrees

In recognition of Earth Month, were catching up with Sustainable Surf-a nonprofi...

13/04/2023

Best Travel Backpacks: 2023 Ultimate Guide

When youre on the road, you need a backpack that keeps your belongings organized, secure and protected from the elements without holding you back. The best trav...

13/04/2023

Best Cameras for Hiking: 2023 Ultimate Guide

The whole point of hiking is to enjoy the outdoors. That means unplugging from the noise of your smartphone, it means living in the present moment, and most of ...

13/04/2023

Kayak Cameras: Ultimate 2023 GoPro Guide

Waterfall drops with your kayak camera arent just thrilling, they are life-changing and, with a waterproof camera along for the ride, your friends get a look at...

13/04/2023

Best Motorcycle Cameras: 2023 Ultimate Guide

Whether its wheelie races, shredding the local track or sunset cruising that revs you up, adding a GoPro motorcycle camera will ensure that you can relive the m...

13/04/2023

The Ultimate Guide to Using Your GoPro as a Biking Camera

From road biking to track cycling, mountain biking to BMX, theres never a dull moment when youre riding your trusty two-wheeler. Its capturing the excitement-in...

13/04/2023

Best Surfing Cameras: 2023 Ultimate Guide

What Is The Best GoPro Camera for Surfing? Surfing is a solo art form. The ritual of getting up at dawn, throwing on a wetsuit and bracing the crisp ocean wate...

13/04/2023

Fishing Camera Guide: How To Mount Your Camera

Whether you're fly fishing, spinning or trolling or-when you reel in the Big One, it comes with a story to tell and an even better one to show. That's w...

13/04/2023

The Absolute Best Underwater Cameras of 2023

Whether you're a surfer, swimmer, snorkeler, Sea-Doo-er or just plain love water, getting awesome underwater video is the ultimate way to share your submers...

13/04/2023

GoPro x Melin Release Floating Hat Collab

Boating, beach days, pool parties, lake life, you name the fun-filled location and we've got a wonderful new hat for you to sport. We've teamed up with ...

11/04/2023

GoPro + Creators Team Up with Thailand to Experience Songkran Water Festival

GoPro is teaming up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to bring a group of creators to Thailand to experience one of the worlds largest water festival...

10/04/2023

Meet the HERO Behind the Incredible Sidecountry Rescue Captured on GoPro

When Francis Zuber left his house in Bellingham, Wash., March 3 to ski his local mountain, Mt. Baker, it started out like any normal day trip. It was an easy ho...

04/04/2023

GoPro Awards Announces Earth Day Photo Challenge

Happy Earth Month! We're constantly in awe of the beauty that Mother Earth offers us every day and want to see this beauty through your lens, so we are ki...

04/04/2023

Introducing Boom: A Premium Extension Rig Kit

Legend has it that the GoPro media team created a disappearing pole mount at one point and coined it the narwal mount (inspired by a narwhale). For years Go...

30/03/2023

GoPro for a Cause Spotlight: Leveling the Playing Field with Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative

In celebration of Women's History Month, we're shining the spotlight on ...

30/03/2023

Newsweek Names GoPro to 2023 Most Trustworthy Companies in America' List

We're thrilled to announce that GoPro has landed on Newsweek's list of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America-for the second year in a row! The awar...