Ep 3. The Day the Homestead Caught Fire

In episode 3 of season 7 of Alaska: The Last Frontier named "The Day the Homestead Caught Fire," viewers witness the Kilcher family dealing with a major crisis on their homestead. The episode captures the intense moments as the family faces one of their biggest nightmares- a fire that threatens to destroy their home.

The episode starts with the Kilcher family preparing to celebrate Yule, a traditional holiday they have celebrated for generations. As the family gathers in their cabin to exchange gifts, they suddenly notice smoke. Panic sets in as they realize that a fire has broken out in the nearby forest and is quickly moving towards their homestead. With no fire department available, the family is on their own to protect their land, homes, and animals.

As the flames come closer and closer to the cabins, the family struggles to contain the fire with limited resources. They use whatever tools they have at their disposal, including shovels, buckets of water, and hoses, to fight the fire. It becomes a race against time, as they try to keep the fire in check, but despite their best efforts, the flames prove to be too powerful.

The episode captures the resilience and resourcefulness of the Kilcher family as they work together to protect their homestead. Amidst the chaos, viewers are shown glimpses of the family members' personalities, struggles, and their connection to the land. For example, we see Otto, the patriarch of the family, taking on the role of a commander, directing his children where to focus their efforts. On the other hand, the episode also highlights Eivin Kilcher's unique connection with nature, as he rescues several animals from the fire.

The episode also highlights how living in Alaska is both challenging and isolating, with no access to outside help or facilities. Furthermore, the episode captures how the Kilcher family uses techniques that are centuries old, including creating a "firebreak" to protect their cabin. They also enlist the help of their neighbors to bring in water tanks to control the fire.

As the fire rages on, the family is forced to make tough decisions, including which parts of their homestead to save. They focus on protecting their animals and their cabin, leaving the rest of their property vulnerable to the fire. The episode captures this heartbreaking decision-making process and viewers get to see the family's deep connection to their land as they make these difficult choices.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers see an exhausted but victorious Kilcher family, looking back at the devastation caused by the fire. While they have lost parts of their property, they have managed to save their homes and their animals, which are their lifelines. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with the family being grateful that they managed to survive the disaster.

In summary, episode 3 of season 7 of Alaska: The Last Frontier is a gripping portrayal of the Kilcher family's resilience, resourcefulness, and their unbreakable bond with their Alaskan homestead. The episode captures the family's fight to save their homes, animals, and land from a dangerous wildfire, which brings to the fore the harsh realities of living in an environment like Alaska. It is a must-watch for fans of the show, and anyone interested in the rugged life of living in Alaska.