Ep 16. Fire in Paradise

On November 8th, 2018, a wildfire that started in the town of Paradise, California, quickly became one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in the state's history. The fire, known as the Camp Fire, burned over 150,000 acres, destroyed almost 19,000 structures, and claimed the lives of 85 people. In the aftermath of the fire, investigators tried to determine how it started and how it was able to spread so quickly, despite the heroic efforts of first responders and firefighters.

Frontline's season 38 episode 16, titled Fire in Paradise, explores the human stories behind the Camp Fire and investigates how it happened. The episode interviews survivors, firefighters, and public officials who worked to contain the blaze and help those affected by it. Through their testimonies, we learn about the chaotic and surreal experience of trying to escape a wildfire that was moving faster than anything people had ever seen. We hear of harrowing car rides and desperate efforts to find shelter, as well as the loss of loved ones and pets.

The episode also delves into the historical and ecological factors that contributed to the Camp Fire's intensity and speed. We learn about the decades of fire suppression in California, which led to a buildup of fuel in the forests and made fires more explosive. We also hear about the effects of climate change, which have made extreme weather events like droughts and heat waves more common and have created conditions that are ideal for wildfires to start and spread.

Throughout the episode, we follow the efforts of investigators to piece together what happened on the day of the fire. We see how they use technology such as drones and satellite imagery to map the flames and try to understand how they jumped freeways and neighborhoods. We also learn about the role that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), one of California's largest utilities, played in the fire. PG&E had been found responsible for causing previous wildfires in the state, and it was suspected that faulty equipment or inadequate maintenance may have played a role in the Camp Fire as well.

Fire in Paradise is a sobering and informative look at one of California's worst disasters in recent memory. It highlights the bravery and resilience of the people affected by the fire, as well as the challenges that they continue to face in its aftermath. At the same time, it calls attention to the need for policy changes and increased public awareness around the dangers of wildfires and the need to address the underlying causes that make them more likely to occur.