Nearly a year after the L.A. fires, ‘Fire Country’ draws inspiration from those who fought it

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A mother, separated from her children by work, desperately tries to reach them as a wildfire tears through their town. Firefighters are battling the blaze, but strong winds are fueling the flames and making the situation increasingly dangerous.

This situation feels like something you’d see on the CBS show “Fire Country,” which depicts the brave firefighters of Cal Fire in Northern California, a region prone to wildfires. But this story isn’t fiction – it’s a true account from actress Diane Farr, who plays a Cal Fire chief on the show. Farr recalls being on set in Vancouver in January while devastating wildfires were happening in Los Angeles.

She described having to quickly get her children out of Los Angeles when their La Cañada Flintridge home fell within the evacuation zone. Fortunately, their house was spared. They were evacuated for eight days, and thankfully the strong winds shifted away from their property towards Altadena. She said the experience was frightening and really made them appreciate the power of nature.

After causing widespread destruction in Los Angeles, the recent fires were finally brought under control. Some of the firefighters who bravely battled the blazes shared their experiences with the cast and crew of the show “Fire Country.” Tia Napolitano, an executive producer on the show, explained that two firefighting consultants, Matty and Marty Mullen, provided videos of the actual Los Angeles fires. They used this footage to make the season three finale more realistic and authentic, reflecting the events everyone had witnessed. Napolitano noted that it’s been just a year since the fires occurred.

I’m a huge fan of “Fire Country,” and it’s seriously become one of CBS’s most reliable shows since it first aired in October 2022. It’s currently in its fourth season, and it’s won its time slot every week this season, except for the night it went up against Game 6 of the World Series – that’s pretty impressive! Now, it’s the established drama on Friday nights, bookended by two new hits: “Sheriff Country” with Morena Baccarin at 8 p.m. and “Boston Blue” starring Donnie Wahlberg at 10 p.m. Pacific. Both of those spinoffs have really taken off since they premiered in October, and it’s awesome to see the whole lineup doing so well.

Television

Set against a backdrop of rural California and drawing inspiration from the Cal Fire inmate firefighter program, ‘Fire Country’ offers a unique premise, though it doesn’t entirely break new ground.

Farr thinks these shows are popular for the same reasons people love true crime – they have a simple, clear-cut story of good versus evil. She explains that seeing how characters protect others and solve problems in a potentially dangerous situation is strangely comforting, offering a sense of relief on a basic, instinctive level.

I’m really impressed with “Fire Country.” It truly captures what it means to be a firefighter. The crew at Station 42 constantly demonstrates incredible bravery while protecting their community, and it feels so authentic, just like the real heroes we see in the news. The creator, Thieriot, really understands that firefighters are a unique group of people, and he’s made it a priority to portray that accurately. He admits the show is still television, so there’s drama, but he’s committed to grounding it in reality and finding the genuine moments that make these firefighters so special. It’s that dedication to authenticity that I find so compelling.

Max Thieriot, who plays Bode in “Fire Country,” says the firefighters he portrays are a unique and dedicated group of people. He strives to accurately and respectfully represent their everyday experiences in his performance.

A good story needs both heroes and villains, and right now, “Fire Country” has a particularly scary one in the character of Landon, played by Josh McDermitt. At first, Landon seemed quiet and easygoing, but the show has revealed a much more complex and unsettling side to him, just as the midseason finale approaches on Friday.

Review

CBS spinoffs ‘Boston Blue’ and ‘Sheriff Country’ will please fans of the originals

Both ‘Sheriff Country,’ which came from ‘Fire Country,’ and ‘Boston Blue,’ a spin-off of ‘Blue Bloods,’ follow a similar format and style to the shows they originated from.

I’m getting seriously worried about Landon! The showrunner, Napolitano, hinted that he’s going to be a real danger for a while, and that he’s someone who’s completely desperate – like he has absolutely nothing to lose. It’s setting up to be really intense!

Landon has damaged his relationship with Chloe and her son Tyler, who recently told Bode that Landon was responsible for the devastating Zabel Ridge Fire. This fire, which occurred in the season three finale, was inspired by Los Angeles wildfires and caused extensive damage, including the loss of homes and the life of Cal Fire battalion chief Vince Leone – Sharon’s husband and Bode’s father.

Last Friday’s episode showed Landon furious about being investigated and frustrated that Bode and Sharon were keeping Chloe and Tyler away from him. According to actor Dominic Napolitano, Landon is insecure and feels like a victim, which will lead him to act in frightening ways.

As a fan, I’m really intrigued by the Chloe and Bode dynamic. It’s clear there’s still something between them, and it gets even more complicated with Bode taking Tyler under his wing. I’m definitely wondering if Bode is finally open to finding love again. The creator, Thieriot, hints that he is, explaining that Bode’s been through a lot and mentoring Tyler is a big step in his journey towards opening up.

Bode (Max Thieriot) and Chloe (Alona Tal) were once romantically involved. (Sergei Bachlakov/CBS)

Watching the show lately has been really touching, especially seeing how everyone is dealing with Vince’s unexpected passing. It wasn’t something they planned for, and I really appreciate that they aren’t trying to gloss over it. As a longtime fan, I’ve always loved how comforting this show is, and it’s clear they want to continue that. They’re still bringing the joy and lightheartedness we all expect, but they’re also beautifully acknowledging the loss of Vince, a true hero, and keeping his memory alive, which means so much to me.

Farr keeps Sharon’s marriage and family with Vince close by, symbolized in several rings she often wears. This season, she added another ring at the suggestion of director Sarah Wayne Callies.

Farr describes Vince’s bracelet as weighty and irritating, constantly hitting the small bones in her hand. She compares this physical discomfort to the experience of working with her former co-star, Billy, who meticulously examined every detail – every word, line, movement, and intention – to achieve the most authentic performance. Farr acknowledges Billy’s loss is a permanent sadness. While she doesn’t want to portray grief indefinitely, upcoming episodes will focus on Sharon’s journey to redefine herself as an individual, rather than as part of a pair.

Despite hoping Los Angeles avoids another year of devastating fires, the team behind “Fire Country” remains dedicated to showcasing the bravery and challenging work of firefighters, while also providing compelling entertainment.

Thieriot admits it’s challenging to consistently create content that’s exciting and original, but he’s confident they can do it and is looking forward to the effort.

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2025-12-19 14:03