Small towns in the West obliterated by fire (Part III): Immigrants, small business, and population loss

"For sale" sign on a gas station in Sierra City, California 
(c) Lisa R. Pruitt 2017

The Los Angeles Times ran this story yesterday about the Syrian immigrant whose store in Berry Creek, California was destroyed by the recent Bear Fire.  It's a powerful account by Ruben Vives, with some photos by Carin Dorghalli, the store-keeper's daughter, who works for the nearby Chico Enterprise-Record.  Here's the lede: 

The Bear fire was burning in the mountains of Butte County, devouring acres of land and belching out black smoke as it inched toward Berry Creek and other communities in the area.

More than 40 miles away in Chico, Carin Dorghalli had trouble sleeping. The 26-year-old journalist had been covering the fire for the Chico Enterprise-Record. While in the field, she managed to check up on the family business — the Village Market.

It was the only gas station and convenience store in the area. Her father had purchased it 2006 and marked his financial success as an immigrant from Syria. For residents, the store was a lifeline and a community gathering spot, especially after the 2018 fire disaster in nearby Paradise, when the Village Market was one of the few stores that stayed open.

But when Dorghalli arrived at the store in the early hours of Sept. 10, she found the store leveled and smoldering. The fire had swept through the area, consuming cars, homes and trees. Ash and embers fell from the sky as if it were snowing. Dorghalli said she couldn’t help but cry.

Other posts about the recent fire destruction in Berry Creek are here and here.  The LA Times story makes the point that rural communities in California increasingly struggle to access services to residents--both public (e.g., post office, school, courthouse) and private (grocery store).  That's why I have posted the accompanying photo.  When I drove through Sierra County, population 8000, in 2017, I noticed a number of businesses that accommodate locals and tourists up for sale, including the only gas station in Sierra City (above), and an inn in Downieville.  It looked like a trend.  

Another LA Times story about the Butte County fires is here, focusing on how you deliver services to wildfire victims in the context of a pandemic.  Thanks to Maria L. La Ganga for reporting.  

And don't miss the policy paper on legal issues that arise for rural Californians in the context of wildfires and other disasters, published by the California Commission on Access to Justice in 2019.