An unforgettable look behind the frontlines of British Columbia's worst wildfire season on record is coming to public television next month.

Wildfire, a five-part documentary series, is set to premiere on Knowledge Network on April 29 at 8 p.m., airing every Tuesday until May 27. The powerful series takes a deep dive into the heart of BC Wildfire Service with unprecedented footage, showcasing the bravery, tactics and resilience of frontline workers who fought the province's largest fires, such as those in West 琉璃神社, Kootenays, Gun Lake and Donnie Creek.

The compelling series will take viewers behind the scenes, providing an educational and in-depth view into the cutting-edge tactics used by the elite first responders of BC Wildfire Service, such as initial attack crews, specialized air attack, parattack and rapattack teams, and even the last remaining all-Indigenous unit crew in the province. 

The resilience of those affected by the devastating wildfires is also highlighted in the series, showcasing their strength and determination as they rally together for their communities in the aftermath of the fires.

鈥淎s wildfires grow more intense, understanding how they鈥檙e fought and managed is crucial,鈥� said Michelle van Beusekom, CEO of Knowledge Network. 鈥淲e hope the series deepens appreciation for the incredible work being done by wildland firefighters and sparks a broader conversation about how we adapt to the evolving wildfire landscape.鈥�

Over 2.84 million hectares of forest and land were burned during the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season. The series provides a firsthand account of the scale and magnitude of the destruction the fires had on communities and continue to have.

Wildfire was created by Kevin Eastwood of Optic Nerve Films, and CK9 Studios' Simon Shave and Clayton Mitchell, both of whom are former wildland firefighters. BC Wildfire Service rarely grants filming access, but an exception was made due to Shave and Mitchell's firefighting experience and Eastwood's history with sensitive storytelling. 

Co-directors and producers Shave and Mitchell were both deeply honoured that the BC Wildfire Service trusted them with the idea.

鈥淲ildfire isn鈥檛 just about dramatic footage," they said. "We wanted to unlock the human stories of not only those affected but those fighting the infernos who are so often also personally impacted, [and] it was incredible to witness the power communities can have when they rally together during loss and disaster.鈥�

Wildfire showrunner and co-director Eastwood added that with Shave and Mitchell's firsthand experience and deep connections to the firefighting community, they had a unique opportunity to show the dedication, skill and resilience of the first responders and communities affected, as well as educate the public.

"Many people don't fully understand the incredible work being done on the frontlines and the complexities of fire dynamics," he said.