Bode’s Actions in the First Season Angered CAL FIRE

Fire Country contains many soap opera-style elements, even though it is an action-adventure show about firefighters facing insurmountable odds to save the day. In the series premiere, Bode comes to blows with his old friend, Jake, after meeting him again during a deadly fire event. When they were teenagers, Jake was hooking up with Bode’s little sister, Riley (Jade Pettyjohn), and Bode learned that Jake had dumped Riley on her birthday. It was the same day as the deadly crash that took Riley’s life, with Bode behind the wheel. It’s Bode who throws the first punch, and after Bode taunts Jake about his then-girlfriend, Gabriela, the two fight again before Eve breaks it up. The scene caused massive outrage for CAL FIRE’s real-life Fire Chief, Joe Tyler.

Tim Edwards, the President of CAL FIRE’s union, Local 2881, also came out heavily against the show, refusing to alter his stance after watching the pilot episode. Per The Los Angeles Times, Edwards took exception to the show depicting one of the inmates having a cellphone in the Three Rock Conservation camp, noting that such a massive infraction would cause that inmate to be immediately returned to the general prison population. Instead, the show does not treat the incident as a big deal, and the inmate receives only a verbal warning. The comments by the CAL FiRE representatives caused widespread controversy and attention for the new series ahead of its official debut. However, Edwards himself has also stated that he believes the money that finances inmate conservation camps should instead be used for hiring non-inmate firefighters, and not supporting the inmate fire camps.

The Cast and Crew Defend ‘Fire Country’ Despite the Controversy

Series showrunner Tia Napolitano defended the series, noting to The LA Times, “I know we are making an entertainment show. It’s not a documentary. We do our absolute best.” Napolitano pointed out that the production brings in multiple firefighter consultants to the writers’ room and sets to assist them in more accurately depicting firefighters, including retired firefighter Jeff Snider. Nevertheless, Napolitano is right. Fire Country is not a documentary and has no obligation to adhere to the accuracy and real-life rules and regulations of CAL FIRE and inmate conservation camps.

A Case of Real-Life Accuracy Versus Entertainment

At least Edwards took the time to watch the pilot episode, but Chief Tyler made a snap judgment after watching only one trailer. The fight between Bode and Jake in the pilot takes place due to their longstanding relationship, and Bode harbors unresolved anger concerning his sister’s tragic death. Eve quickly stops the fight before it escalates, and Bode and Jake eventually make amends and reforge their friendship.

Sure, in the real world, Bode’s actions would likely cause his immediate expulsion from the program. However, in that case, we might as well criticize all movies and television shows for taking extreme liberties depicting events that would not happen in real-life settings. At the end of the day, Tyler rendered an unfair, snap judgment regarding the series without understanding the context of the fight.

Fire Country is slated to return for its fourth season on October 17 on CBS. The first three seasons are available to stream now on Paramount+.