A disaster can be a catalyst for change in the affected community, and the voices of citizens indeed support, if not initiate, the change. In the aftermath of fires that burned in Butte County, California this past spring, The Butte County Grand Jury has urged the county to move quickly in paving those county roads that have remained rough, in an effort to create a more streamlined evacuation plan for residents of its upper-ridge community. This recommendation was prompted by a letter from a citizen who questioned the county's responsibility in maintaining certain roads in the region.
Born is a plan to pave the Skyway from Inskip to Butte Meadows, thus connecting to Highway 32 through Humboldt Road, and providing a new thoroughfare for the upper-ridge dwellers in the event of an evacuation. This project is slated for funding by both federal and county agencies. As for more detailed emergency escape routing, flexible evacuation plans will be implemented depending on the location of the fire and identified by signs placed during such an evacuation. The Grand Jury recommended a fast move forward that includes consideration for community input in establishing a final upper-ridge evacuation plan.
To read about how disaster has brought out the best in this community, please see the following related article: Humboldt Burn Brings Out Butte County's Best!