Rebuilding Grizzly Flats: Elliott Homes’ Commitment to the Caldor Fire Homeowner Rebuild Program

Five years after the Caldor Fire devastated the small community of Grizzly Flats, a meaningful milestone is helping mark the road toward recovery. Last month, the Grizzly Flats community came together to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the first two completed homes through the Caldor Fire Homeowner Rebuild Program, exactly five years after the fire destroyed hundreds of homes and changed the community forever.

At Elliott Homes, we’re incredibly honored to have been part of this effort. As a homebuilder serving the Sacramento region and surrounding communities, we know that building a home is about much more than walls, windows and a roof. In Grizzly Flats, we’ve had the opportunity to help build something even more important: a path toward home, stability and hope.

A Meaningful Milestone for Grizzly Flats

The Caldor Fire burned more than 200,000 acres across El Dorado, Alpine and Amador counties, forcing thousands of families to evacuate and destroying approximately 400 homes.

Since then, residents and community organizations have worked tirelessly to rebuild. Five years later, the completion of these first two homes represents a significant step forward.

The August 17 ribbon-cutting brought together members of the Grizzly Flats community, HomeAid Sacramento supporters and local leaders, including remarks from Representative Kevin Kiley and El Dorado County District II Supervisor George Turnboo.

For the homeowners receiving these homes, the moment was about far more than a construction project. It was about finally having a place to return to.

Proud to Build Alongside Our Community

We’re incredibly grateful to HomeAid Sacramento, El Dorado County and every individual, organization and local partner who helped make these homes possible.

As our Vice President of Project Development and Builder Captain representative, Price Walker, shared at the event:

“I’ve been involved with the construction of thousands of houses and proud of them all, but these two homes feel so different and more meaningful than any.”

That sentiment captures why this project has meant so much to our team.

As home builders, we’re accustomed to seeing the excitement that comes with purchasing a new construction home. But these homes represent something different. They represent families being able to rebuild their lives in the community they love.

One homeowner, who had been living in an RV for five years, described her new house as a “castle.” It may be a smaller home by some standards, but to her, it represents a fresh start and a reminder that she and her community have not been forgotten.

That perspective stays with us.

Building Homes and Hope

The two completed homes are approximately 750 square feet and were built with fire-resistant features as part of the rebuild effort. The larger program plans to construct 12 homes for Caldor Fire survivors, with additional homes planned through 2027.

The project has been made possible through a true community partnership. El Dorado County provided a $550,000 grant, while HomeAid Sacramento raised more than $200,000. Donations, materials and labor from local builders and partners helped bring the remaining pieces together.

For us, contributing our homebuilding experience is one small way we can support the community that has supported us.

Looking Toward the Future

We’ve spent generations building new homes in the Sacramento area, but projects like this remind us why our work matters. A house becomes a home because of the people who live there, the memories they create and the community surrounding it.

Grizzly Flats has experienced tremendous loss, but the ribbon-cutting on August 17 offered an opportunity to celebrate what comes next.

We’re proud to stand alongside HomeAid Sacramento, El Dorado County, our fellow building partners and, most importantly, the families who are rebuilding.

These homes are more than new construction homes. They are a sign of progress, resilience and hope, and we’re honored that Elliott Homes could help bring them to Grizzly Flats. For more information about our efforts and our new homes in the Sacramento area, give us a call at (866) 984-1300 or fill out our online form.