The Good Fire Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating learning, healing, and community connection through the restorative power of beneficial fire.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Noble Park, 6712 Pentz Rd., Paradise, CA
(Rain date: Saturday, November 22)
This one-day gathering brings together fire practitioners, Indigenous cultural practitioners, community organizations, and local residents to explore how “good fire” can restore both ecological and community health. Whether you’ve been impacted by wildfire, are curious about using fire as a management tool, or simply want to connect with others who care about the land — this event is for you!
Festival Schedule:
Morning Workshops (8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) —LIMITED SPOTS, Registration required: bit.ly/GoodFire25
Indigenous Cultural Fire — He-Lo Ramirez, Cultural Stewardship Program Manager, Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER). Learn how California Indians have used fire since time immemorial to steward healthy ecosystems and communities.
Prescribed Fire in Practice — David Mitchell, Prescribed Burn Association Coordinator, Butte County Resource Conservation District (BCRCD). A hands-on introduction to fire behavior, safety, and techniques for using prescribed fire as a land management tool.
Pyrotherapy (Fire Therapy) — Blake Ellis, ASW, Ecotherapy Program Manager, BCCER. Recently featured in Atmos, this pyrotherapy workshop invites participants to reimagine their relationship with beneficial fire through storytelling, group sharing, and nature therapy practices that address sensory triggers tied to wildfire trauma by incorporating mindfulness, grounding, and nature connection practices.
Afternoon Community Gathering & Fire Demonstrations (12:00 – 4:00 p.m.) — Live fire demonstrations, goats grazing, poetry, CAL FIRE engines, s’mores, vendors, and community organization booths. Free and open to all!
Register: bit.ly/N2NGoodFire25
Poems on Good Fire & Pyrosketchology — Calli-Jane West, Butte County Fire Safe Council
Microcasting Demonstration — Dallas Koller (Burn Boss) & David Mitchell, BCRCD
Fire Through History and Changing Conditions — Kyle Mason, Climate Corps Fellow, member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Camp Fire Survivor
Grazing with goats—Sarah Jo McDowell, Butte County Fire Safe Council
Participating Community Organizations: Paradise Recreation & Parks District, Butte Environmental Council, Camp Fire Restoration Project, Regenerating Paradise, CAL FIRE – Fire Department Paradise, Terra Fuego
Local vendors: Green Paradise Cafe, NikNek Lemonade, Redbud Botanicals
>>We’d love your help in spreading the word to your networks — please share this event with your members, clients, and community contacts! You’ll find a flyer attached that can be shared via email or social media.
>>If your organization or business serves wildfire-impacted communities or helps promote beneficial fire and wildfire resilience, let the organizers know if you’d like to get involved as a vendor or resource booth!
For questions or to reserve your tabling spot, please reach out to david@bcrcd.org or call Blake at 812-773-2966.
Together, let’s celebrate good fire as a force for renewal, healing, and community connection.
*The Good Fire Festival is funded by Neighbor-to-Neighbor and the California Fire Foundation, and hosted in partnership with the Butte County Fire Safe Council, Butte County Resource Conservation District’s Prescribed Burn Association, BCCER’s Ecotherapy Program, and the Paradise Recreation and Parks District.