California town of Paradise destroyed by Camp Fire issues 1st rebuild permit

PARADISE, Calif. -- Small signs of rebuilding a Northern California town destroyed by wildfire are sprouting this spring, including the issuing of the first permit to rebuild one of the 11,000 homes destroyed in Paradise five months ago.

A city hall clerk on Thursday issued Jason and Meagann Buzzard a building permit to replace their home destroyed by the Nov. 8 fire that killed 85 people.

RELATED: The evacuation of Butte County's Paradise from beginning to end

The couple told reporters they never thought about leaving. Paradise Mayor Jody Jones said the Buzzards' permit is a sign that the town will rebuild.

Nonetheless, the process has been slow. The Buzzards' lot was one of only three properties in a town of 27,000 people cleared of rubble and certified safe by state inspectors for rebuilding. An estimated 580 lots have been cleared still await inspection.

Take a look at the latest stories and videos about the Camp Fire.