Fire Country?
Hollywood’s latest version of wildland firefighting.
“Hey, so is the TV show Fire Country worth watching? Is it accurate?”
That’s the question friends are asking. There’s a lot of talk about it in the fire community. In general, seasoned firefighters cringe when Hollywood tries to portray wildland firefighting. It’s fair to say people from any profession might cringe when Hollywood tries to recreate drama from the job. (Have you seen Grey’s Anatomy?!)
But according to the LA Times, Fire Country has a high viewing rate. Maybe because all things fire is fascinating no matter how unrealistic. If you can suspend your disbelief when flames in the show look straight out of a gas pipeline along with plenty of computer graphics, the excitement many of us long for can be found in the first episode. Who doesn’t want to be hit with a water bucket from a helicopter? Nevermind that it almost never happens. In my last blog, I recount getting sprayed by a retardant plane when the pilot was off course, but that only happened once in all my busy fire seasons.
A few episodes later, the inmate crew set to work removing “fuels” surrounding a structure. The main characters were in deep conversation while tossing what looked like sprigs of lavender away from the wall. I remember the fuel type we removed from those California fires. They weren’t wispy sprigs. Imagine giant manzanita bushes and thick, scratchy scrub oak. We saved our breath to launch or drag brush that was often taller than we were away from the fire line we still had to dig.
Then there’s the comical scene where firefighters attempt to dig line while dodging falling firebrands. A few minutes later, these same firefighters deployed their shelters. As I reflect, I’m thankful that I never had to deploy a fire shelter, which is always a last resort and rarely happens. If it does happen, it’s traumatic. One doesn’t come out swinging, or just get on with the day afterward.
I powered off after the show portrayed a “lightning storm.” Lightning started a fire on a green lawn of a flat city park. Engine crews rushed with hoses full throttle to douse those scary tufts of flame. Maybe there are young people living in the city or suburbs who watch the show out of curiosity. Maybe they’ll be inspired to try their hand at firefighting. That would be great for our wildlands as all fire agencies are desperate for more candidates. On the other hand, let’s say they do get hired. I can almost hear one of these new firefighters complaining, “Hey, this is not how it is on TV!” (No. It’s not.)
But there is one fairly accurate aspect of the show: like any other profession, the job is relational. Much of the drama revolves around our interactions with those around us. The exciting and sometimes dangerous fire fight is only the dramatic backdrop to relationships we remember for the rest of our lives. The relational element is what I wrote about in my yet-to-be-published memoir Dances With Fire, so if Fire Country is not your jam, stay tuned for a story closer to the truth. And thank you to those who’ve subscribed to my newsletter as it helps move me toward the publishing goal.
Has anyone who reads this been drenched by a bucket drop? Are there any firefighters who do enjoy the show? Will Fire Country inspire young people to pick up their Pulaskis and join the fight?
