Afterburn: The Creek Fire Documentary - A Valley PBS Original Documentary

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  • Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
  • Watch never before seen accounts from the fire line and how Shaver Lake was saved during the 2020 Creek Fire. There is a robust debate over the causes of mega fires in the West from both sides of the fence and exclusive interviews with fire investigators, including the only statements direct from the head of the Sierra National Forest on the controversial cause of the Creek Fire. Plus, we check in on the victims to see how they are rebuilding in the aftermath.
    Afterburn: The Creek Fire Documentary will take you deep inside the first 96 hours of the blaze with exclusive, never-before-seen footage of the blaze from the fire line as both the United States Forest Service and Cal Fire battled the blaze.
    Afterburn: The Creek Fire Documentary is proudly supported by Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, Hedricks Chevrolet, Reedley College, Lazzerini Family Foundation, Valley Air Conditioning & Repair, Inc., and InSight Vision Center.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 396

  • @dill9001
    @dill9001 Рік тому +15

    I was the last person on a helicopter out of Mammoth pools that night. It was one wild day and night, no words can describe just how scary it got when the initial burn came over the lake once everyone got down to the water.

    • @KaileyB616
      @KaileyB616 Рік тому +3

      Omg that must've been so scary!

  • @johngunter824
    @johngunter824 Рік тому +29

    I worked in shaver and huntington lakes restoring powerlines in the fall and winter of 2020. I was absolutely shocked by the amount of devastation. There were certain stretches of mountainside that were completely void of life. It was one of the eeriest feelings I've ever felt. Being the only form of life for miles made me appreciate a lot.

    • @jt8251
      @jt8251 Рік тому +2

      First time I drove up to Huntington Lake after the fires was a complete shock. I got a little emotional. So much devastation.... forest I loved since I was a little kid all completely gone.

  • @tersse
    @tersse 2 роки тому +113

    both the specialists in forestry and fire are corect, we should manage forestry close to housing and infrastructure, but wild forest should be allowed to burn, its a natural process, and we dont have the resources to manage every acre of forest, we need to define what we need to manage, and what we need to grow wild.

    • @josephsteffen2378
      @josephsteffen2378 Рік тому

      Has the bark-beetle

    • @dickybyrd6865
      @dickybyrd6865 Рік тому

      We are in a climactic cycle which requires us to manage our forests as “green areas” that protect our atmospheric weather, including rainfall. Burning and over logging of our forests exasperates climate change, climate change brings about the conditions that create unhealthy forests. I disagree with your opinion that adding more carbon in our atmosphere resulting in climate change, ie extreme weather conditions, is the answer to healthy forests and a path for us out of the global warming cycle. Yes, I agree that beetle killed tress within a forest is a sign of an unhealthy forest, so managed forests which allow the weather/rain cycle in return to normal is imperative.

    • @Nutmeg142
      @Nutmeg142 Рік тому +1

      @@dickybyrd6865 there are ways to log the forests without adding carbon. A lot of people are going back to using draft horses to log which helps remove the logs and clean up the forests without the danger of a fire getting out of control.

    • @dickybyrd6865
      @dickybyrd6865 Рік тому

      @@Nutmeg142 Yes I agree with your position . Allowing one million acres in the Mendocino National Forest to burn is not the way to limit or reduce carbon emissions to enter into our atmosphere. Green healthy forests managed to remain green and healthy in my opinion helps our climate to remain normal thereby limiting extreme weather conditions. If we lose the green forests we will lose a regular rain cycle. Without rain we will lose our forests.

    • @mera8785
      @mera8785 Рік тому +4

      ​@@dickybyrd6865 CO2 is plant food. We're cooler now than we were 1000 years ago, when Vikings were growing barley in Greenland. You've been played. You should look at opposing opinions and see if you can disprove them in order to strengthen your position or help you see the errors in your beliefs on whether this is real because just agreeing with the people who cherry pick data to suit a narrative that conveniently supports stronger government control and less human freedom/life is not the smartest move.

  • @MetalBaller83
    @MetalBaller83 2 роки тому +86

    I can’t give more than a like on this, but I wish I could. Absolutely amazing documentary. Very well done sir. The best one to date; no question. And I’ve watched them all. No bias, no agenda, no B.S. Your emphasis on the first responders was epic. Furthermore, the depth of research that went into the investigation was award worthy. Very cool man

    • @cliffterrell4876
      @cliffterrell4876 Рік тому

      The documentary is full of the typical propaganda bullshit service (PBS) bias liberal bullshit from a "expert fire professor" who is full of bias liberal propaganda bullshit lies.

    • @BushyHairedStranger
      @BushyHairedStranger 21 день тому +1

      @MetalBaller83 The South Canyon Incident/Tragedy Documentary is far more interesting,..intense HARDCORE..in my opinion.

    • @BushyHairedStranger
      @BushyHairedStranger 21 день тому

      ua-cam.com/video/eOP8iHKeA_8/v-deo.htmlsi=EPXSYcpDfHAlzRzX

    • @MetalBaller83
      @MetalBaller83 21 день тому

      @@BushyHairedStranger I’ve seen that one too. I’m from CO, I remember when South Canyon actually happened.
      Waldo Canyon was by far the most intense. Check this one out:
      ‘In Our Own Backyard: Reflections on the Waldo Canyon Fire’

  • @dillon8212
    @dillon8212 Рік тому +14

    The team that put the documentary together should be incredibly proud of this. Absolutely outstanding investigative journalism and background work!

    • @jeffaiello6646
      @jeffaiello6646 11 місяців тому +2

      Thank you! We are lucky to have such a talented team that worked really hard on this one. Thanks for watching!

    • @KittyGonzalez-bc8ee
      @KittyGonzalez-bc8ee 14 днів тому

      ​@@jeffaiello6646i would love to see an actual in depth Dicumentary about tge. VALLEY FRE 9- 12-2015 in Lake County..... 😅vver 75K acres and 4 deaths with. NO warning at all for Andersion Springs, where the deaths occured. We lost over 2000 homes and many more Incidentak structures within a couple hours as residents scrambled to evacuate throughout SOUTH LAKE COUNTY AS IT RAPIDLY CROSSED INTO NAPA AND SONOMA COUNTIES AT NEVER BEFORE SEEN SPEED AND SPREAD!

  • @rln970
    @rln970 Рік тому +14

    I have been interested in wildland fires since my son became a Hotshot 19 years ago and still is a wildland firefighter. I have been privileged to see videos and photos taken by his fire crew. I watch wildland fire videos all the time.
    This is the most monumental video I have ever seen, not only for the fire coverage but the explanations of the research in determining the root cause of these fires. I learned a lot from this video

    • @cliffterrell4876
      @cliffterrell4876 Рік тому

      From a 32 years retired firefighter, who fought hundreds of wildland fires across the United States, I can assure you that some of the "information" in this documentary are bias liberal lies. The individuals from cal fire is excellent. Its the other "wildfire professor" just spewed the bias liberal crap.

  • @akibawolfproductions
    @akibawolfproductions 2 роки тому +41

    When I was growing up, we had a really bad thunderstorm hit our area. Lightning so severe we went down to the basement it was just that bad. Afterwards, for almost 4 months, we could smell burning wood but couldn't pinpoint it, till a male tree literally exploded and well, the fire crew determined that during the thunderstorm, 4 months prior, it'd been hit by lightning. Lightning struck trees can and often do burn slowly and go undetected.

  • @brjackhenderson3847
    @brjackhenderson3847 Рік тому +9

    As I watched this video I was sitting in the green roofed building at 1:46:01 I ran Camp La Salle at Huntington Lake for 22 years but the camp has been here since 1923 and it has been Camp La Salle since 1954. At the time of the fire, it had been Camp Kennolyn for two years. We lost 32 structures and were ground zero for one of the two fire tornados. Miraculously 3 buildings were spared. As I said above, I watched the video from one of those. The fire clean-up is still going on and forest restoration and planting plans are being formulated. The meadows are green and full of birds. The sounds of frogs at night are loud. The forest will return and we are still here. Thanks to all of the first responders and those who continue to clean-up and rebuild. This was one of the best and well investigated documentaries I have seen on the fire. Well done! #MountainStrong

  • @stevenbond8168
    @stevenbond8168 2 роки тому +27

    What I did just weeks before the Rodeo/Chedeski fire in Arizona was I trimmed and cleared all the under brush and any debris, dried dead branches with rakes and shovels clearing it away from both my house and garage structures so if ever a fire broke out they would hopefully be spared and still standing? And Than God they were still there. I believe that if everyone took time out to exactly what we did there may be a lot more homes still standing today? God Willing . Great Documentary! Well done... Thank you S.C.Bond

    • @jeffaiello6646
      @jeffaiello6646 2 роки тому +3

      Thank you!

    • @briankistner4331
      @briankistner4331 Рік тому +1

      @Steven Bond: Thing is MANY don't want to spoil their view so they don't protect their property from a wildfire. If people are going to be allowed to build in these spots, it should be law that their property be properly cleared of potential fuel. And home insurance should go thru the roof for those who don't comply. That right there might be good incentive.

    • @hamburgler227
      @hamburgler227 Рік тому

      @@briankistner4331 facts. It’s private property/structures in wilderness areas that’s the problem. It causes agencies historically to aggressively suppress natural fires which leads to abundant fuels and eventually mega fires. If ppl want to blame anyone, they need to look in the mirror first of all.

  • @oldshep2695
    @oldshep2695 2 роки тому +8

    Sitting over here in England and watch this documentary after all this time, just wondering how it started.and getting the answer.!! yes i watch a lot of the fire as best i could, thru internet/news. i cannot and still cannot comprehend the scale of the fire.the topography...You all the afected folk know what a mountain looks like and how steep them can be. i honestly dont know. we dont have them here.. im still in total awe of all those folks who fight the fires, /rescue/ police/ the air assets..( how the air boss stays sane) i dont know..the dozer folks ,cannot forget you..infact the whole package..i can only say is WELL DONE. Heroes all..

  • @Friendjmd
    @Friendjmd 2 роки тому +45

    Excellent documentary. The dedication of you and your crew is clear from the detailed film work. Thank you for providing different perspectives on the reasons for these disasters. My heart goes out to all those who lost so much. Thank you to all the firefighters and police whose hard work prevented a loss of life.

    • @cliffterrell4876
      @cliffterrell4876 Рік тому

      It's commiefornia. Destructive fires every year because politicians listen to idiot environmentalists over in your face, open your eyes, obvious problems in the forest of commiefornia. Glad I don't fight fires anymore in that cesspool state

  • @kadeshadow5236
    @kadeshadow5236 Рік тому +7

    I want to thank you very much for your dedication to putting subtitles on your documentary, and for the documentary itself.
    I've become enraptured with studying these documentaries on wildfires recently and I appreciate your attention to detail and your dedication to bringing this detailed closure to thile affected communities.
    Much appreciation and praise from my home here across the sea in Australia 🇦🇺

    • @johnmontgomery3174
      @johnmontgomery3174 11 місяців тому +1

      If you get an opportunity, watch the one called "Bring your own brigade". It gives an excellent look into the aftermath of the Camp Fire.

  • @amydavis4945
    @amydavis4945 11 місяців тому +11

    It's annoying that people always need a PERSON to blame when NATURE happens. Sure, we could manage forests better, we could build better burn-resistant dwellings/structures, we could have better warning systems, etc. But when it comes to what STARTED the fire... why can't people just accept that it was lightning? A marajuana grow farm isn't going to CAUSE a fire - in fact, they are just as concerned at losing everything in a fire as anyone else. It's not like they BURN the marajuana there.... they harvest it like any other crop. I do appreciate all the time, effort and hard work that was put in to producing this video - it was very well done! Thank you.

  • @911Dox
    @911Dox Рік тому +10

    The "Investigation tree'' is the direct result of a lightning strike. The internal circular separation damage is the tell tale sign. That explosive separation can only happen one way. That tree exploded when hit. Shrapnel made of tree sap blew in every direction; the shrapnel was aflame and started numerous points of ignition spreading outwards of that tree. The burn pattern shows this very well. Like Murphy's Law would dictate this fire started in the worst area possible, during high heat conditions during prime fire season.

    • @jacksonfitzsimmons4253
      @jacksonfitzsimmons4253 Рік тому +3

      The problem is that there was no lightning in the days prior to the start of the Creek Fire
      The most previous lightning was like 10+days prior I believe.

    • @commiehunter733
      @commiehunter733 Рік тому

      ​@@jacksonfitzsimmons4253 exactly... look at Canada, they tried doing 3 prescibed burns and created a massive fire unfortunately

    • @jeffaiello6646
      @jeffaiello6646 11 місяців тому +3

      @@jacksonfitzsimmons4253 I've personally seen hold-over fires in trees last for months so 10 days is possible IMO.

  • @thecriticalstatepodcast
    @thecriticalstatepodcast 2 роки тому +17

    It’s truly astounding what humans can do when working together

    • @briankistner4331
      @briankistner4331 Рік тому +1

      Just think if politicians could work this. Things of importance would get addressed.

  • @janaunvoyles4293
    @janaunvoyles4293 Рік тому +10

    I don't "slap that like button" every time I watch a video because I decide to a video as many You tubers suggest even on the verge of demand. That being said, I feel compelled to go beyond that to express how much I appriciated this production. It was informative, concise, and appeared factual. the cinematography was superb. wee dune Mr. Aiello.

  • @stevenikitas8170
    @stevenikitas8170 Рік тому +18

    It's very sad, but if you look at the horse corral at 46:18, there are trees growing right up into it. I see this often. Many towns in place like California and Oregon are forested right up to the town's edge and even into the town, which you can see in videos and in satellite views. The town appears literally to be set in the forest. This is very picturesque but it is a real danger to the town and its people in the event of fires. To protect their towns and properties better, they need to practice better forest management including cutting fire breaks around the town or ranch.

    • @Dreadz530
      @Dreadz530 Рік тому +3

      Most of have fire breaks but they don’t help when there’s 40 mile or faster wind throwing softball size flaming embers miles ahead of the fire. A fire line works great when there’s no wind but anyone who lives around here in these areas know we get very bad wind. One of the canyons called jarbo gap can have average winds over 100 mph. It’s a weather phenomenon from the huge Sierra mountains and the air gets sucked down and forced through tight canyons. The day of the Camp Fire we had sustained 60mph winds with gusts up past 80mph. No fire line is going to stop a fire running in the trees with wind that is great for a fire that’s only on the ground but once it runs up into the canopy it will run like here and consume a football field a second that’s over 300 feet a second the fire is advancing. We have put out the fires for too long and can’t contain them anymore. The fires are supposed to burn and keep everything new and fresh but we put them out so there’s fuel piling up still from 50 years ago that’s the issue. We love to build houses in the middle of the forest and then try and stop the natural burning cycle and wonder why it’s so bad now

  • @jamiew8466
    @jamiew8466 2 роки тому +9

    Add me to the list of people who vote spectacular. So nice to have an honest and superbly done doc about fire without politics. Its truly sad these efforts dont get wider play for everyone across the southwest dealing with wildfire. Thank you for doing this.

  • @tonys.
    @tonys. Рік тому +8

    This is the best Wild land Forest fire documentary I have seen, extremely well done. Very sad to see all the horrible loss of homes and memories...

  • @marywinterstein4630
    @marywinterstein4630 Рік тому +6

    Oh GOD. I'm just absolutely stunned for lack of a better word. The strength of the people in that area is beyond my comprehension. The courage of CalFire and the Forestry service men and women is something to be so thankful and proud of. And the national guard was beyond amazing. Thank you to all the first responders. God bless you.

  • @lonestarpiper4917
    @lonestarpiper4917 2 роки тому +30

    This is an INCREDIBLY well done and in my opinion respectful documentary. God bless all the firefighters who responded to this fire and those who continue to respond. Im from Texas and was in no way personally effected by this fire. This documentary was so well shot, directed, and narrated that i found myself captivated for the ENTIRE 2 hour run time. Again...... Well done!

    • @chrisc9769
      @chrisc9769 2 роки тому +4

      I'm from the complete opposite side of the country from this fire. But when it was burning I felt for the people it affected. I rooted for the people that were fighting it. I hoped that the the lose of life wouldn't be big.
      These fires are not preventable, but it IS possible to LIMIT the damage. We need to find ways to help mitigate the damage of the next one. Not just to the forest but to the people that live in or near them as well

  • @aprilsmith3683
    @aprilsmith3683 Рік тому +5

    "Everybody went home..."
    An incredible feat indeed...
    Bravo...
    🇿🇦

  • @mamalovesthebeach437
    @mamalovesthebeach437 11 місяців тому +5

    I live on the Sonoma Coast. We learned a lot from 2017 through 2020. They don’t hesitate, throw everything in a fire when it starts.There are currently dozens of fires burning in California forests with manpower stretched thin. Traditionally October is the worst month for fire…it’s only August.

  • @kittygonzalez2827
    @kittygonzalez2827 2 роки тому +5

    Excellent documentary on the mayhem of the creek fire....note right near the origin, below the dam...high tension power lines.. I was not surprised...

  • @jenford7078
    @jenford7078 Рік тому +3

    Thank you for opening our eyes and minds to just how technical forest fire fighting really is and how it doesn't take one person's ideas but many different views from many different professional, crazy brave people.

  • @simonfea2
    @simonfea2 Рік тому +3

    Thank you Cal Fire. From an East Bay native of 44 years.

  • @danapowers9793
    @danapowers9793 11 місяців тому +1

    Flawless documentary! One of the best ones i could have chosen to help heal my trauma from exposure to a forest fire 45 years ago.

  • @Poetessa2
    @Poetessa2 2 роки тому +9

    I can't stop crying, all those courageous super heroes are just so awe-inspiring. What a horrific disaster but how everyone worked tirelessly together was incredible! This hits close to home for me, I've endured fires in my life but never on such a monumental level. I'm so relieved that no one lost their lives and the horses and cows made it!
    Total respect for everyone who endured that. For those who lost their homes, my heart breaks for you, it's something that you never truly get over, it's hard to explain but it leaves a deep scar that should heal but for many, that pain lingers for a lifetime and films like this brings it all back again. It's a miracle no one lost their lives thanks to the bravery and hard work of all the firefighters and everyone who battled that monster.
    Great film about a gut--wrenching topic. Thank you.

  • @jackNimoy
    @jackNimoy Рік тому +3

    I bought my first motorcycle in may 2020 and immediately started riding up to shaver/Huntington nearly every weekend and of course Cressman’s was a regular stop for me to fuel up and I fell in love with that whole area in a new way. It’s beautiful to see the folks who live & work in that area show how resilient they are and keep on keeping on.
    I used to think we westerners had it good because we never had to worry about tornadoes or hurricanes.

  • @sumsara9255
    @sumsara9255 2 роки тому +21

    It would have helped me to have a fire stats briefing before getting into the film. I started the film twice, because I thought I must have missed it, and then I paused the film to look up the fire, dates, location, acres burned, etc.
    You did an excellent job addressing forest management (historic and current) and its role in fire ecology, intensity, and behavior. I would have enjoyed the same level of detail in the Wildland Urban Interface issues. People build and want to live in fire ecology landscapes, yet, it is difficult when homes/structure are lost. Thank you for the excellent film,

    • @amy109
      @amy109 2 роки тому

      It’s a really llll

  • @mijodo2008
    @mijodo2008 Рік тому +5

    Brilliant Documentary. Well told. And as the Cheif said, "everybody got to go home". Cheers from Michael. Australia.

  • @mostlyvoid.partiallystars
    @mostlyvoid.partiallystars Рік тому +2

    Big props to that official investigator. Facts matter; and root cause analysis is hard, and complex, and honesty in reporting is paramount.

  • @jacobwaddell6075
    @jacobwaddell6075 2 роки тому +17

    Phenomenal video.
    Folks in Cali, know your countrymen/countrywomen whenever an event like this happens we are ready to be there for you in whatever capacity. I’m from Arkansas, I saw these fires from a distance on the news, but the human impact it had on you did not go unnoticed. Curb all the political BS, I assure you any decent person here in Arkansas would come to your aid in a heartbeat.
    We are all AMERICANS end of the day. We stand behind you ready and able. Love to all of you who lost in this terrible fire.

    • @Starrydraws
      @Starrydraws 2 роки тому +5

      As a Californian that's had threat of losing my home or my friends and families homes, it's hard to see events like fires and other disasters hurting normal people despite all the political BS. I've seen videos of the tornadoes you face over there and it hurts to watch it. I'd come and help at the drop of a dime regardless of how far it is.

    • @tundrawomansays5067
      @tundrawomansays5067 2 роки тому +3

      Well said, both comments. Thank you. And thanks for this excellent documentary.

  • @michaeljones2960
    @michaeljones2960 2 роки тому +13

    It deeply hurts me to watch this video. I was born and raised in Huntington lake. For those who lost everything is what hurts the most. God bless all of the first responders. Thank you CDF and all fire fighters who worked there to help save shaver lake and Huntington lake area. Hopefully we can all rebuild.

  • @jackNimoy
    @jackNimoy Рік тому +2

    To take something so incredibly sad and dark and put it in out from an artist perspective us quite amazing. As a madera county resident this is particularly touching.

  • @da7heaven
    @da7heaven Рік тому +3

    Wow, great documentary! I remember flying up the coast during the Creek Fire and it was so chilling and troubling. Thanks to all those who worked so hard to save and preserve lives.

  • @davidanderson5767
    @davidanderson5767 Рік тому +1

    So thankful for and appreciative of those who responded

  • @kittygonzalez2827
    @kittygonzalez2827 2 роки тому +9

    It’s amazing to me the difference in coverage in different counties with mountainous terrain...in Fresno County, they had coverage to provide communication between the battalion chief and the traveling bosses....yet up in Lake county, the cell coverage is so sporadic, some residents never got their evacuation warnings in the LNU Complex Fires until they managed one phone call to 911 informing them of fire crawling up their ridge ....That’s when the dispatcher told us we were supposed to have been evacuated ! As the report was given, we heard a conversation on air tac ...we thank the Lord for the 747 pilot who recognized the danger we were potentially in given the surrounding region and the highway closure! That was as he was readying to make his drop to our WSW. IMMEDIATELY...we heard a call for the dozers to make a rapid move and cut as much of a Barrier as possible around our position. It was a very sleepless next 2 nights...no power ..no landlines and no cell ability!

  • @kittygonzalez2827
    @kittygonzalez2827 10 місяців тому +4

    Thank you Jim Mc Dougald for fighting the dangers we face! You are one of my heroes from the LNU Complex! There is a confidence you exude with your entire being ...especially your commanding voice!

  • @dennyhooper8987
    @dennyhooper8987 Рік тому +4

    Very well done documentary, lots of un-sung hero’s. For some reason, the cause investigator seems nervous about something. Maybe just camera shy.

  • @bobbenton7088
    @bobbenton7088 Рік тому +2

    Very well done. Thanks for the exceptional work on this!

  • @charlenejandik6587
    @charlenejandik6587 2 роки тому +5

    WOW. I cried several times watching this. I also felt pride and joy for the hero's and people who persevered. I'm still amazed there were zero deaths. Good job all around.

  • @2kiona
    @2kiona 2 роки тому +24

    This documentary is excellent. I live in Fresno and I remember the worry and constant updates on FB because the fire was at Mammoth Pools and our friends cabins were in Arnold Meadow (The Wagner Ranch area) just up from there via a dirt road . It breaks my heart to see how damaged this once beautiful area is now. And there is NO EXCUSE for us allowing our forests to get into such bad shape. I bet you could get huge groups of volunteers to go up there and get that dead fall out with our bare hands if we have to. Seriously, that's just wrong and it's going to take US to fix it. Update: As I type I can hear a fire plane fly over our house. It's the spotter plane. Fingers crossed it's NOT a fire. We already have 3!

  • @kerrymarris4260
    @kerrymarris4260 Рік тому +7

    I'm from the east coast, and I've been in the woods all of my life, and I've never seen a more cluttered messed up forest,than around here.
    I've been in Nevada county for 19 years off and on. And right after paradise burned, PGE parked at the end of our road, and I listen to chainsaws for about two weeks straight, as they clear cut 200 ft of woods on both sides of these little power polls. Now I'm not saying that it wasn't needed, because it was. But since then, whoever's cutting down trees and clearing lines, is leaving piles of brush, and fuel piles as big as a two car garage. And there's a lot more dead trees around here, than ever before.

    • @bookbeing
      @bookbeing Рік тому

      They should run the dead stuff through a wood chipper.

    • @cathleenweston3541
      @cathleenweston3541 Рік тому

      Course they are. It's California. 15 min cities! 3 family homes and many friends homes burned in Paradise. I raised my kids there. Intentional fires will get you in 15 minute cities. Wake up!

    • @mamalovesthebeach437
      @mamalovesthebeach437 11 місяців тому

      Irresponsible logging left many if our forests with slash in addition to 20 years of drought, pests and diseased trees. Take a drive north of Jenner into Mendocino and you’ll see mile after mile if stone dead pines on both sides of hwy 1. It’s a tinderbox.🤦‍♀️

    • @dyanebaldwin1236
      @dyanebaldwin1236 6 місяців тому

      Where are the replies ? The slash left from clear cutting is fuel.

  • @skitzochik
    @skitzochik 2 роки тому +13

    Jim Mcdougald can hardly speak about it at all, hes fighting emotion the whole way...bless his heart

  • @H.O.P.E.1122
    @H.O.P.E.1122 Рік тому +2

    12:30 Excellent work to provide truth to dispel misinformation!

  • @kittygonzalez2827
    @kittygonzalez2827 2 роки тому +4

    My best memories with my hubby (now Ex), were of our day trips with the kids up to Huntington Lake...fishing from the dam...the water was always cold, clear and the air was clean and “cool” compared to the city. We were avid outdoors people, and instilled the love of nature in our children. We would trek the 5 hour drive up to our family cabin in Lake County to purposely spend a couple of weeks away from televisions, and the noise and lights of the city to “rough it”...with a shower and beds, a stove but no microwave. Between scheduled vacations, Getting out into areas Like Huntington Lake, and its upper regional tributaries was our version of church, God and nature. I treasure those memories and the beauty will always be a mainstay in my mind.

  • @kalon415
    @kalon415 2 роки тому +4

    Well done documentary. Thank you

  • @racheljennings8548
    @racheljennings8548 2 роки тому +6

    Such a respectful empathetic documentary

  • @angela_tarantulas
    @angela_tarantulas 6 місяців тому

    Excellent documentary 🙏🏼 thank you! I’m in the middle of Europe and I wish the people who survived this catastrophic fire all the best 🍀 hope they can rebuild their lives and heal from traumatic memories.
    To all the helping forces, the firefighters, police officers, pilots, everyone who helped… THANK YOU 🙏🏼

  • @kittygonzalez2827
    @kittygonzalez2827 10 місяців тому

    Excellent Documentary! The best I’ve seen since my studying Wildfires began in 2015

  • @douglescoulie7881
    @douglescoulie7881 2 роки тому +8

    I've been looking forward to this.

  • @TheBoss91.
    @TheBoss91. Рік тому +4

    Thank you going back and try to find the concrete of this fire is going to be almost 3 years for me I was one of the rescues from camp Wagner I was in the black hawk helicopter I used my flashlights to flag down national guards and first to made contact with them when they landed let them know there was a rv trailer made as a Emergency room for the burn victims and thank God that day we had a Register Nurse who got into action to help out..

  • @sherylcoetzer1
    @sherylcoetzer1 2 роки тому +25

    The fire was going to eventually happen no matter what. I believe it was the lack of maintenance that could have prevented the enormity of it and it's destruction.

    • @yomamahouse7725
      @yomamahouse7725 Рік тому

      Let the cows run through the forest

    • @yomamahouse7725
      @yomamahouse7725 Рік тому

      We need to stop leaving chopped trees in the forest it’s fuel for fire

  • @ShlisaShell
    @ShlisaShell Рік тому +3

    You did a great job on this.

  • @RobinPMac
    @RobinPMac 2 роки тому +5

    Excellent video thank you

  • @katiemaycock481
    @katiemaycock481 Рік тому +2

    Excellent documentary! Enjoyed! Thank you!

  • @catbriggs8362
    @catbriggs8362 Рік тому +4

    I like the way Valley PBS presented both views on why these fires are increasing. It makes sense to me that driving responsible logging out of forests is contributing to the size and intensity of fires. It also makes sense that we're currently in drought conditions across much of the world. Undoubtedly, we are contributing to climate change. I don't see eliminating fossil fuels as the answer. Rather, we need a slow and sustainable transition to other power sources. It seems there are valid points on both sides of the issue. The biggest failure in addressing natural disasters might lie in a place we seldom look: our refusal to cooperate and explore ideas with people with whom we disagree. Together, we are much stronger than we are apart. A return to humility, kindness and mutual respect is necessary if we want to save our planet.

  • @christophernunez3403
    @christophernunez3403 Рік тому +3

    I was on this fire. One of the biggest fires ive been on in my 20 years of of being a Hotshot.

  • @katlyncummings3033
    @katlyncummings3033 2 роки тому +7

    To the Tshirt comment: The tshirts financially support the survivors of the fires ... people are not profitting off of these for shits and giggles

  • @TwoBs
    @TwoBs Рік тому +1

    I’m just admiring the beautiful scenery the west coast has to offer with the mountains, cliffsides, big trees, and pastures. Just absolutely stunning, even with the smoke and fire in the background of some of the shots.
    Forest fires are a scary thing to go through. I’ve only been through a few here on the east coast in Appalachia. They were small and thankfully contained before they got near homes, but doing controlled burns has helped a lot keeping most at bay. It’s a crappy thing to think about given wildlife and plants, but if we’re going to continue to repopulate these areas … you’re going to have to do something if you plan to live near such. Fires happen naturally all the time, but when they’re controlled, they can really be beneficial and prevent such catastrophes from happening again.

  • @heatherhillman1
    @heatherhillman1 Рік тому +6

    I know very little about wildfires since I have never lived in a fire prone area, but I'm curious........ can a fire burn within a tree for over a week without burning the wood on the inside of the tree? Because I see a fair amount of unburned wood in the suspect tree. Now, I know fire can, in fact, burn within a tree without being noticed or even burning down the tree, but it seems like if it's burning for over a week, wouldn't that hollow out the tree essentially? What is the science behind this phenomenon?

    • @firewatch814
      @firewatch814 5 місяців тому +2

      In trees that have been dead for a number of years like the one that got hit by lightning here the decaying wood can smolder for days without showing smoke visible at a distance. You'd have to be right next to the tree to notice it.

  • @bigfish8280
    @bigfish8280 Рік тому +4

    @15:18 I hate when people use terms such as dinner time response to being asked a question about what time something occurred. People eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at all different times throughout the day

  • @cindymacdonald8655
    @cindymacdonald8655 Рік тому

    Fantastic documentary. Very well done!! 👍

  • @AHD2105
    @AHD2105 Рік тому +2

    Wow. This is a lesson for forestry who dont clear left over timber from forestry in MZ. The North Island of New Zealand has had lots of what will be dry lumber, slash laying in creeks after massive flooding. It's piled for acres around creeks. This is going to end up in flames next summer. 😮

  • @stevenbond8168
    @stevenbond8168 2 роки тому +12

    I was one of the lucky ones during the Rodeo/Chedeski Fire in Arizona who's home was still standing not even a burn in my yard. When everything around it was torched, houses burnt to the ground for miles and miles. This fire burned over a Million Acres of beautiful U.S. Forestry Land destroying everything in its path. See my comment above this one.

    • @catbriggs8362
      @catbriggs8362 Рік тому +1

      It's probably common to think people whose homes were untouched in a major fire are the lucky ones. Although they are undoubtedly thankful for being spared, I suspect they are still traumatized by the event. Their homes were probably smoke-damaged. They lost neighbors and friends who were forced to move elsewhere. They must endure the noise and commotion of rebuilding around them.T hey have daily visible reminders that no place is guaranteed to be safe.

    • @amarillocowboy6709
      @amarillocowboy6709 Рік тому +1

      Wasn't the Chedeski Fire set by a woman who had gotten lost, and wanted a fire just big enough for searchers to find her. ?
      And, wasn't the Rodeo Fire set by a bored man, who was a member of a volunteer fire department ?
      I hope the man was sentenced to a long term in prison.
      The woman's fire was a mistake. It just grew too big, too fast.
      The man's fire was intentional.

    • @stevenbond8168
      @stevenbond8168 Рік тому

      Sure was your exactly correct. Did you live up I'm Arizona near pinetop or along the rim area?

    • @stevenbond8168
      @stevenbond8168 Рік тому

      The only way we knew our home wasn't burned down was we kept calling my message machine at our cabin we were one of the lucky ones. Also I had cleared all the brush and trees that were too close to our cabin and had just freshly painted it with a fire retardant paint stain. The decks ad well. We found burned charred embers on and around the decks and in our yard but didn't cause a fire on our lot. But there were several homes just across the street and down a few hundred feet that were scorched to the ground nothing but burned ashes and the foundations. Down across the main hwy there were hundreds of homes burned to the ground . it was a very sad sight to see. Have a good weekend. Steve

    • @amarillocowboy6709
      @amarillocowboy6709 Рік тому +1

      ​@@stevenbond8168 No.
      I grew up in Prescott.
      I was working for an volunteer fire department in Fort Sumner, New Mexico when that complex burned.
      I had two cousins working for the Forest Service at the time.

  • @crackerjack1827
    @crackerjack1827 2 роки тому +2

    so well done

  • @crazyjohn6130
    @crazyjohn6130 2 роки тому +7

    Very good documentary native Americans did controlled burns and clearing of build up under brush my opinion is we need to go back to that. Thank you to firefighters that worked this fire from a 40yr veteran firefighter for ohio

    • @youtubeprimer5514
      @youtubeprimer5514 Рік тому

      Whats funny is they shut the logging down in california because of spotted owls. Now there's hardly any forest left for spotted owls and it ain't because of logging. A bunch of mismanaged government run environmentalists/sierra club destroyed the forest.

    • @youtubeprimer5514
      @youtubeprimer5514 Рік тому

      The true cause for the creek fire is unknown still because the forest service cant blame it on Southern California Edison or pgne like all the other fires. I know people who were evacuating camp sierra said they saw cops with huge green houses and weed piles from a grow down the hill which they probably caught on fire and don't want to tell.. either way it wasn't dry lightning

    • @firewatch814
      @firewatch814 5 місяців тому +1

      ​@@youtubeprimer5514 yeah because people who are illegally growing weed in the forest are going to setup greenhouses where they would be plainly obviously to those coming down from huntington lake to big creek not to mention it would be obvious to the tree crews that had been working there in the weeks prior.

  • @deborahhobbs7664
    @deborahhobbs7664 Рік тому +5

    Someone should make a movie about the helicopter rescue.

  • @jb95969
    @jb95969 Рік тому +2

    Tough, but Great story.
    Love- past and future resident of paradise ca

  • @deirdrecollins3987
    @deirdrecollins3987 2 роки тому +9

    Thank you for sharing. Amazing documentary!

    • @ValleyPBS
      @ValleyPBS  2 роки тому +3

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @MatthewMorningstar13
    @MatthewMorningstar13 2 роки тому +10

    I worked this fire. I was wondering if they was ever going to make something about this fire. This was absolutely crazy. #UtahFireCo

    • @jeffaiello6646
      @jeffaiello6646 11 місяців тому

      Thank you for watching and for your work to help our community!

  • @hisimagenme
    @hisimagenme Рік тому +4

    Not everyone went HOME, but everyone lived. Fact is: recreation in the forrest has a 50 percent chance of being burned down, living as well. Back in the day as they say, insurance companies didn't exist and people who built in the forrest knew the risk and took it without expectation of blame and recompense. THAT is what has changed, people expect to blame and be compensated when they KNOW that they are taking the very risk they have just experienced. Insurance industries created false security and expectations of rebuilding of the 50 percent charge occurred. Before that, no one had that problem. They built and rebuilt with no expectation of compensation. They knew and took the risk without burdening society with their need to blame and complain. It's heartbreaking, sure, but it's no different than a man who walks into a casino and lays his last 50 dollars on the table. He knows the odds and plays anyway. Sheesh, next thing we know we'll have gambling insurance. Life hasn't changed, we have. The US while still having a few rational people left, in large part had lost all sense of reality. It will and should NEVER be expected for forrest to be managed by man doo well that it never burns out of control. That expectation alone is bizarrely irrational. Always will be.

  • @neilarmsweak9084
    @neilarmsweak9084 Рік тому +3

    Very very well done

  • @theresekirkpatrick3337
    @theresekirkpatrick3337 Рік тому +3

    This is why Arizona and Texas do really good fire maintenance control, burning in our forests so that things like this don’t happen and take out complete towns such a shame so sorry for the folks that live there

  • @jcumps
    @jcumps 2 роки тому +11

    This documentary deserves a much wider distribution. Well done.

  • @jacksonmarshallkramer5087
    @jacksonmarshallkramer5087 Рік тому +3

    As an absolute animal lover, I couldn't imagine having a bunch of everything and not being able to get them out.

  • @Dreadz530
    @Dreadz530 Рік тому +4

    I wouldn’t have minded as much had our fire been started naturally instead of the blatant neglect of power lines by PG&E that’s for sure..

    • @williamhiles7404
      @williamhiles7404 Рік тому +1

      Camp Fire. Still suffering from the aftermath. Never will recover from it. All the smoke and pneumonia contracted after it all but finished my lungs. 5 years later, still waiting for the Trust to compensate me for what I went through. Most of us disabled are the Forgotten Ones.
      LedHed Steven 🎶

  • @loudiehl2021
    @loudiehl2021 2 роки тому +5

    Jeff, epic video thank you
    The face of nature reflects all of life’s ups and downs. -fortune cookie

  • @ss0238
    @ss0238 Рік тому +1

    That cal fire chief looked like he was going to cry every time he was asked a question.

  • @ofcv1238
    @ofcv1238 11 місяців тому

    46:52 most dramatic and impactful mental meanderings of emotion and considerations I have heard…hard to write over tears of empathy for the trauma

  • @bradparker1020
    @bradparker1020 Рік тому +3

    Both scientist have good points one works for the forest industry and one works with a non profit. First the forest industry scientist. When he discusses management he uses the term duff build up another term used is litter. This is a build up by natural causes as well as the litter slash piles left behind by the logging companies. He is right about managing the duff layer of a forest. That can only happen through prescribe burns which is a management tool. In video you saw the firemen starting what is called a back burn that is a prescribe burn unfortunately a little late. The beetle infestation which all forest have is caused by unhealthy trees. This is directly caused by climate change. Keep in mind forest fires are a natural . IT is away for forest to regenerate. Native Americans used fire to stimulate new growth and build habitats for wildlife making it easier to hunt. The forest industry like all corporations care about profits. Saying forest are a RENEWABLE RESORCE IS A FUCKING JOKE. THEY CUT DOWN HUNDRED YEAR OLD TREES AND PLANT 2 UINCH SEEDLINGS AND SAY ARENT WE WONDERFUL. The lumber industry scientist talks about natural occurring events. Clear cutting forest for profits is not natural. That aside yes forest would do what they do but only man's interference in the natural cycle fucks everything up, just like every other thing man has ever done to the natural world.

  • @tripledeuce9813
    @tripledeuce9813 2 роки тому +3

    I am SO SORRY ABOT YOUR DOG AND ANIMALS AND TO EVERYONE THAT LOST ANYTHING I AM SO SORRY.

  • @jermhanson13
    @jermhanson13 11 місяців тому

    Very excellent representation of what wildland firefighters go through.

  • @smileycamel5635
    @smileycamel5635 2 роки тому +3

    I drive up there to camp and fish, and the aftermath makes you year up,...but everyone in those communities , and businesses, are so thankful and proud of the efforts of all the responders , forest personnel, law enforcement, the national guard, and all the firefighters. God bless those willing to put themselves at risk to protect others.

  • @jparker59able
    @jparker59able 2 роки тому +3

    I enjoy watching documentaries, but I wish the background music while people are talking would be toned a little.

    • @indy_go_blue6048
      @indy_go_blue6048 2 роки тому

      I wish they'd just shut it the hell off. I guess they think it makes the story more dramatic or they're scared a little dead time will send viewers away. I know that for me it's ruined more than one good video.

  • @briankistner4331
    @briankistner4331 2 роки тому +6

    Many have said Cal Fire screwed the pooch on this one was well, and admittedly I can see why that would be said. I might also be in full agreement if it not for how wildfire behavior has changed the last few decades. What was learned from say the last fire, has to be tossed out the window cause Old Man fire shows up at the next one with a all new bag of tricks and goodies for fire crews to deal with. It's hard to gain any tactical advantage under those circumstances. They have to react to the deal dealt to them and it's been buckus for them more times than not.

    • @maxsmith695
      @maxsmith695 2 роки тому

      Aerial atmospheric spraying and microwave technology have nothing to do with any of the fires.
      Homes in the Urban Interface have been catching on fire, from the inside, since the 1900's.
      And those still belted radial tires have always melted the entire wheel housing, despite no heat source or fuel in the vehicle.
      Move on, nothin to see here.
      Those melted guard rails are just a normal occurrence. No pictures please.

    • @briankistner4331
      @briankistner4331 Рік тому +1

      I need to modify my above statement. Where Cal Fire and Authorities could do better is with evacuations. Many are just too relent on someone else telling them what to do when in danger. (still, keep in mind that in the end, it's most likely going to be up to YOU as what to do.) Evac needs to be done sooner. Error on the side of it wasn't necessary compared to it being way too late.

    • @amarillocowboy6709
      @amarillocowboy6709 Рік тому

      How hot does a wildfire have to get to melt an guard rail ?
      I have built corrals with guard rails,
      They are made out of very thick, very heavy, very long steel.
      I have seen old style wooden corrals made out of 2"x12"s and old railroad ties. They burn, mostly because of the creosote in the ties.
      The corrals made out of guard rails always stayed standing, because there was nothing to burn.

  • @bradleywindle9396
    @bradleywindle9396 2 місяці тому

    I was a wildland fire dozer operator for 14 years. I can't speak for what happened on this fire, but I've witnessed firsthand the "sit on it and let it get bigger" mentality of federal firefighting agencies. That's one of the reasons I got out. I couldn't in good conscience be a part of it any longer.

    • @nickfish629
      @nickfish629 5 днів тому

      Funny how the Truth comes out after 4yrs. It was an oops fire. 🔥 Yes! A MJ Grow! 1 agency was burning the grow and let it go…..Nobody wanted responsibility they all knew….you can hear it in all their voices ….sad 😢

  • @angela_tarantulas
    @angela_tarantulas 6 місяців тому

    I cried when Ashley was talking about her horses and thinking she lost her dog. I own dogs and a pony and I would feel the same 💔 what a strong woman!

  • @AmericaVoice
    @AmericaVoice Рік тому +1

    The thing that most forget is that the trees that they had go up in seconds. They are like they were doused with gasoline and just waiting for a flicker of heat. It is natural and is extremely hot. Fighting these fires during the night is very much riskier than during the day. I feel for everyone who was involved with this fire!

  • @andrewwright8507
    @andrewwright8507 Рік тому

    Grew up in Eastern Oregon in my high school years from 02-06 and have seen quite a few fires, hell was stationed at White Sands Missile range and in 2013 I beleive we had the abrams fire that came no more than 200 yards away from houses and our combat engineers made a fireline that thankfully it did not cross.

  • @kittygonzalez2827
    @kittygonzalez2827 10 місяців тому +1

    I wish we had had someone like Cathy in charge of the Evacuation with the
    Valley Fire in 2015. Nobody thought ...nobody planned and we were left wily only 1 possible Evac Route! The same route that Responders From LE AND FIRE CHP ETC used to enter the fire! People running out of gas, overheating, flat tires ...they became the cause of the 3.5 hour wait on the highway as flames licked at the heels of those waiting to get on the mountain! That’s when I became somewhat worried... we were stopped but the fir3 was racing in all directions!

  • @neilarmsweak9084
    @neilarmsweak9084 Рік тому +3

    The only thing I would say is maybe make the fonts a little bigger with the names and their titles when they come up. Or it could be that I watched it on an I phone 12… either way excellent job

  • @jesusfranco4571
    @jesusfranco4571 2 роки тому +2

    Unlike the camp fire, the people responsible are not conducting the investigation? Or are they?
    Why was PG&E aloud to investigate the 2018 fire they determine to be responsible for?

  • @gracehulings3270
    @gracehulings3270 Рік тому +2

    not taking care of the forest maintenance like was done in the past just adds fuel for the fire to burn ... I personally experienced a fire one dry summer after it started raining and was burning debris .. the ground started smoking under what I thought was dirt !! and it spread fast ...! now can you imagine a tree in the forest being hit by lightening and the roots sending out fire to the debris underground because of forest maintenance wasn't done like they did in the past. as dry as it was and all that fuel laying on the ground it could of just burnt underground before burning upwards.

  • @bryanlamarca722
    @bryanlamarca722 2 роки тому +4

    There seems to be so much focus on the origin. Lighting strike, grow operation, electrical line arc, careless campfire or cigarette...... Seems like such a waste of time. If the forest is ready to burn, it's going to burn one way or another.

    • @phil-anthrophist3960
      @phil-anthrophist3960 2 роки тому +3

      Every fire needs a spark, but yes you are correct, during the 2019/2020 bush fires here in Australia, also called black summer, the biggest fire we had was the gospers mountain fire, the day it started there was 19,100 lightning strikes in a 100km area, our weather experts were able to pinpoint the exact lightning bolt that started the fire, it was strike number 19,068, so the 19,067 lightning bolts that struck before hand didn't start a single spark, it just goes to show how randomly a fire can start

    • @bryanlamarca722
      @bryanlamarca722 2 роки тому +3

      @@phil-anthrophist3960 We are on the same page. What set me off was a CA power company was recently successful sued for starting a fire. Ridiculous!! If they pulled all their lines out, would the fire have not started eventually?? Of course it would have.

    • @JustAGooseman
      @JustAGooseman 2 роки тому +5

      @@bryanlamarca722 Im a month late but the power company was sued because they had loads of unsafe equipment including exposed wires, overgrown lines, line poles that were falling apart, etc.

    • @jericho1-4
      @jericho1-4 2 роки тому +1

      @@JustAGooseman Exactly right, and let me expand upon your comment by stating some obvious facts Bryan LaMarca may or may not be aware of. As a public utility it is responsible for the upkeep safety and environmental impact of its infustructure and any damage harm or death caused by said utilities neglegence is not only criminal but liable in civil proceedings. It is most likely PG&E who has a disasterous inspection record for the last ten years and has been cited by county state and federal inspectors up and down the west coast for a plethora of maintenance issues some of them being haphazardly repaired transmission lines and operating voltage far in excess of line perscribed voltage loads. Several of which have started forrest fires that led to loss of life, look up the Saddleridge fire just to name one.

    • @firewatch814
      @firewatch814 2 роки тому +2

      The only reason it mattered was in case it was a nefarious cause. There was lightning a week prior in the area, we had light rain and could hear thunder from our place in meadow lakes.

  • @timmywood9677
    @timmywood9677 2 роки тому

    Wasn’t there heavy winds up there in shaver that month

  • @mechanicallycreative9788
    @mechanicallycreative9788 Рік тому +1

    This really highlights the sickness of our time: the issues that have arisen from an inability to understand our lack of control, and our quests to blame someone. So many people feel they need someone to blame. They search far and wide to find anything or better yet, anyone to put their sorrow and pain on, to do anything, but accept the cold reality; that almost nothing boils down to a single, simple cause. To avoid the truth, that as humans we have essentially no control. Resentment and anger, and the search for vengeance, are a great way to make sure a wound never heals.
    Gratitude and acceptance, are antidotes to the bitterness and blame so many default too. It's life, it's often incredibly painful, and those moments make the joy better as a result. Let go of control, you'll be happier once you learn to trust the universe.

  • @Runtothefire
    @Runtothefire 2 роки тому +4

    Maybe it’s long over due to teach homeowners how to reduce the threat? I live in a very densely forested state. We too on the east coast just came out of a 12 yr drought. There is significant dead trees. I wonder what we homeowners could do to help reduce the fuel for these fires?!!? F/F’s are easily over whelmed in these situations and we should be protecting each other and take personal accountability to PREVENT such an incident. We all need to take responsibility protecting ourselves and each other. But how can we do that to avoid over-whelming everyone?

  • @shadowangel3995
    @shadowangel3995 8 місяців тому

    Lots of credit to all the responders on this fire. Like they said everyone went home. Yes, property loss is bad, but loss of life is worse.