Economic Damage From California Fires Spreads Further Than Blazes

Chico businesses lose workers with nowhere to live; zero apartments available to rent

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The California city of Chico escaped the wrath of last month’s Camp Fire that destroyed communities 15 miles to the east. But now, it is facing the blaze’s economic fallout.

A major part of Chico’s workforce, including contractors, hospital staff and employees of the city’s California State University branch, lived in or near the town of Paradise, which was completely destroyed. About 20,000 have moved into Chico, according to local officials, worsening what was already a growing housing crisis. Others have had to move away,...

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