How One 'Fire Country' Scene Set Off a Real-Life Firefighter Controversy

The CBS hit series Fire Country is known for its entertaining drama. However, sometimes Fire Country sacrifices realism for the sake of that drama, and a particular incident seriously angered the real-life state fire department, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, aka CAL FIRE. CAL FIRE is depicted in the show in the form of its fictional firefighters: the Leone family; Jake Crawford (Jordan Calloway); Gabriela Perez (Stephanie Arcila); Eve Edwards (Jules Latimer); and now Bode Leone (Max Thieriot). The show's inmate firefighter program is based on the real-life Conservation Fire Camp Program, where, in cooperation with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, prisoners in the program respond to emergencies such as fires, floods, and other natural disasters. However, one specific scene within the series sparked a real-life controversy for its depiction of an interaction with a CAL FIRE firefighter and inmate in the Conversation Fire Camp Program. We’re going to unpack how Fire Country royally steamed high-ranking members of the real-life CAL FIRE organization.

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.

As ABC News 10 reported, Chief Tyler heavily criticized the series, noting the clip of the fight between Bode and Jake that appears in the trailer that was released ahead of the series' debut. Chief Tyler decried the series, labeling it as "a misrepresentation of the professional all-hazards fire department and resources protection agency that CAL FIRE is." Chief Tyler took exception to the show's depiction of an inmate fighting a firefighter. He continued, "The dramatization of inmate firefighters fighting members of CAL FIRE is a poor reflection of the value of our Camps Program and the incredible work and leadership of our Fire Captains who supervise our hand crews." Additionally, Chief Tyler emphasized that he and CAL FIRE refused to endorse Fire Country, noting that CAL FIRE "was not involved in its creation or support."

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

Despite the significant anger the show drew from CAL FIRE, series star Thieriot shared his surprise at the controversy while speaking to The LA Times. He stated, "I think I was more surprised by how quickly they [weighed in] without having seen anything, and how the opinion came very fast off of a trailer that’s cut together to bring in an audience." Thieriot also expressed his disagreement with Edwards regarding inmate firefighter programs, noting that it's "a good thing" for people to be given "a real opportunity and second chance" to undergo rehabilitation.

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

Fire Country is a fictional drama series. Anyone who watches the series for overall realism or real-life accuracy regarding firefighting and inmate conservation camps would likely be better off not watching it. People enjoy Fire Country for its fascinating characters, their interpersonal dramas, their relationships, its unique setting, and firefighting action. Sometimes, Fire Country depicts events that lack true-to-life accuracy, similar to how drama shows about law enforcement or firefighters typically lack realism. Fire Country should not be snubbed because it does not depict its stories in strict adherence to CAL FIRE's standards. After all, it’s a fictitious series about fictional characters, even though it is loosely based on an authentic inmate firefighting program.

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+.