A documentary about the 2018 wildfire season south of Francois Lake is being shown at the Beacon Theatre on April 27th.
The Fire In Our Hearts was produced by Josias Tschanz to spark a conversation about smaller communities aiding current wildfire resources.
“I just wanted to create awareness because my parents still live on the Southside and have many friends there,” he said.
Tschanz added the province didn’t have enough resources to combat the 2018 blazes with evacuation being the only option left.
He said many residents didn’t want to leave their homes and properties to burn, instead choosing to turn stay and do what they could to protect the area.
“What happened then is the province released RCMP officers to use scare tactics to have [the residents] leave, ask for dental records, etc, but also block the ferry off which was really the only lifeline to the southside,” Tschanz said.
Food and resources he said were blocked by the action, adding it generated distrust between residents and authorities.
“After the fires of 2018, there was a lot of conversations and a task force formed. Also, the Chinook Emergency Response Society was formed by a lot of community members,” said Tschanz.
Since then, he said the society has set up several fire trailers across the southside area, and have been able to see 27 wildfires controlled which would have otherwise threatened resources and properties.
“That also inspired other communities across Canada to reach out to Chinook and ask how they’re doing it.”
The documentary follows the conversation up to 2025 and has received positive feedback from screenings at film festivals.
Being able to show it in Burns Lake was something that means a lot to Tschanz.
“I’m so excited that everyone gets to watch it that is from the community,” he said.
“A lot of people are still suffering a little bit from the trauma. It’s something that doesn’t just go away, especially if you lived through it.”
After the screening, a panel discussion will happen including members from Cheslatta Carrier Nation and BC Wildfire Service.
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