Sat 3 Jan 2009
After the Jesusita Fire, I’d had enough of fire talk. I’d sat glued to the TV, watching Joe Gehl and Tracy lehr reporting on location while ash rained down and flames shot up on the split screen next to them. But I was in for some more when I showed up for Lars Nelson’s Adult Ed documentary class Tuesday night. His special guest was Jennie Reinish whose film Behind the Lines: Fighting a Wildland Fire depicts what we don’t see when watching such a disaster covered on TV.
In July of 2007 Reinish went to shoot stock footage of the mushroom cloud of smoke coming from the Zaca Fire. She stopped for a soft drink and happened onto an information kiosk manned by firefighters. Their conversation led to an invitation for her to film at the base camp. Because she was a documentarian and not mainstream media, she got access to people, like the incident commander. who didn’t normally grant interviews.
While watching her film, I was amazed to find out what goes on in one of those base camps. Independent contractors are needed to provide basic necessities, such as food and hot showers. They even bring in a souvenir vender to sell t-shirts with the fire’s name on it to keep up the firefighters’ morale. The film also shows the many agencies involved in battling a wildfire and the difficult duties they must perform.
Behind the Lines premieres Saturday, June 6, 7:30 pm, at Samy’s Camera, 614 Chapala Street. The event includes live music and some of the firefighters featured in the film will be on hand. You can have your photo taken on a fire engine, too. A $5 suggested donation at the door benefits Jesusita Fire victims through the United Way.
