CALAVERAS COUNTY, Calif. — Homeowners in Calaveras County whose properties were spared during a massive wildfire four years ago are paying extra for it now. They say home insurance rates have gone through the roof.

Four years ago, the Butte Fire tore through parts of the county, destroying homes and leaving homeowners whose properties survived with soaring insurance premiums. Some homeowners say that the price for coverage in a fire-prone area has become nearly unaffordable and they're considering other options.

"We're actually thinking about that now. Just take the chance," said homeowner Jeff Kiilleen. "Our house is small. It's a 960 square foot home. Its nothing extravagant and if we lost it, we could build another one."

Just this week, California's insurance commissioner announced more than 340,000 rural homeowners were dropped by their insurance companies in the last four years.