How San Francisco North Bay has changed since the wildfires

North Bay Business Journal checked in with leaders from an array of local industry sectors and found they are at various stages on the continuum of recovery from the October 2017 wildfires. Here is how far we've come and where we need to go next.|
NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL
NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Now that it's been one year since the Northern California wildfires broke out and reshaped our lives, how are we faring on Oct. 8, 2018?

The Business Journal checked in with leaders from an array of industry sectors in the North Bay and found they are at various stages on the recovery continuum.

From an economic standpoint, the impacts from the fires may have played out as expected, with uncertainty over how rebuilding will affect the labor and housing markets.

Thousands of burned lots in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties were cleaned of debris by March, homeowners started getting clarity on what insurance would cover for rebuilds by summer, then streamlined city and county processes started pumping out building permits.

Hospitals, including two which had to be evacuated as the fire in Santa Rosa advanced, are hoping that employees and physicians will eventually be back into their permanent homes, even as they continue to support a healing community.

On the wellness front, a number of mental health programs and organizations have formed and are providing ongoing support services for fire survivors.

IN THIS REPORT

Sonoma County hospitals evacuated during the wildfires are still on the mend

North Bay rebound after the wildfires is on schedule, economist says

North Bay rebuilding after the wildfires accelerates

Mental health care is a top priority for wildfire recovery

North Bay construction suppliers see big boost from rebuild after wildfires

Q&A: Claudia Vecchio, president and CEO of Sonoma County Tourism

Impact outside the burn zones: Russian River Valley entrepreneur recoups sales lost to wildfires

Q&A with Terri Stark: Willi's Wine Bar restaurant lost in fires is set for spring reopening

Personal essays

Brad Bollinger, North Bay Business Journal: Now is not the time to back off

Alicia Hardy, OLE Health: We are aware of our shared vulnerability

Diane Dillon, Napa County Board of Supervisors: October created a sense of uncertainty

Tim Zahner, Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau: Hospitality industry stands tall as 'second responders' to wildfires

Jessie Whitesides, Asquared Studios: Living with the 'new normal'

Debbie Mason, Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County, Wildfire Mental Health Collaborative: We can't go back, but we can build a new normal

Judy Sakaki, Sonoma State University: In the ashes, we found a treasure

Belia Ramos, Napa County Board of Supervisors: Adversity created a community

Karissa Kruse, Sonoma County Winegrowers: I lost my house and some hair, but I found love - and a Porsche

James Gore, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors: Use the urgency from the crisis to make things better

Mary Beth Ludwig, Anova Center for Education: We learned how much we depend on each other

Amy Bach, United Policyholders: Victims are facing 'no win' decisions

Naomi Fuchs, Santa Rosa Community Health: Will we fall victim to 'compassion fatigue'?

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