Nearly four years after the Caldor Fire wiped out most of Grizzly Flats, the first home under El Dorado County's new rebuilding program is finally taking shape, offering a powerful symbol of hope for a community still struggling to recover.

Mac MacNeil and Cathie Adams lost their home in the fire that sparked on Aug. 14, 2021, the day the wildfire sparked and eventually burned more than 221,000 acres.

The flames leveled much of their town, leaving hundreds of residents homeless, some without insurance.

"When you look around, you don't see the town. It's all gone," MacNeil said.

For Adams, the loss became real when she saw a video of the neighboring church they shared a property line with. It was gone and so was their home.

Now, their property is buzzing with construction crews. Their

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