We lived there in 1968. As Boy Scouts one of the things we used to do was clear underbrush to reduce the speed that ground fires spread. I hear they don’t do that anymore for “environmental reasons”.
Manzanita and scrub oak burn fast and hot.
It’s amazing what 30 years of bad forestry practices can do.
I agree about the bad forestry. Today, they are sitting on the ridge hoping the wind doesn’t pick up. Also, the temp may exceed 100 degrees today. I’ve always thought it was strange how hot it gets up there. Paradise is above 1500’ and Magalia is over 2500’.