NEW YORK — Lucy Walker’s compelling documentary on California wildfires, titled “Bring Your Own Brigade,” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021, amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, viewers were understandably preoccupied with a different crisis, which made it challenging for her film to gain the traction she hoped for. The Oscar-nominated director acknowledged that the timing was anything but ideal. “I didn’t blame people for not wanting to watch a film about the fires in the middle of the pandemic, because it was just too much horror,” she reflected.
Despite receiving praise, including recognition as one of the top ten films of the year from the New York Times, the documentary struggled to reach a broader audience. This is largely due to its urgent messages about the human toll of wildfires and the pressing questions about the impacts of climate change. However, recent devastating fires in Los Angeles may create a shift in perspective, as Walker believes that audiences may now be more open to her message. In light of the new threats posed by wildfires, she noted, “This is probably the moment where it becomes undeniable.”
As she points out, the public is starting to engage with essential questions that she posed several years ago: Is it safe to reside in Los Angeles? Why are these fires occurring? What actions can be taken to combat them? The filmmaker shares a degree of optimism, stating that although solutions exist, implementing them is often challenging.
In her film, which is currently available on Paramount+, Walker documents the stark reality of wildfires, particularly a tragic incident in 2018 with the Camp Fire that ravaged Paradise and the Woolsey Fire in Malibu. By intertwining the narratives of first responders and those directly affected by the flames, she provides an intense visual account of the chaos and fear faced by residents. Viewers are thrust into the harrowing experience of people frantically driving through engulfing flames, desperately calling for help as their homes are consumed by fire.
Walker emphasizes the inevitability of such disasters in California and recognizes both climatic and social influences contributing to the uptick in fires. While climate change is a significant factor, she insists that solutions are achievable if people are willing to confront the harsh realities and make difficult decisions about where and how they live.
A significant barrier to progress is the tendency towards complacency after a few years without major fires. Walker narrates her own experiences as a resident new to Los Angeles, living on the Venice-Santa Monica border for fear of wildfire dangers, only to confront her own anxieties when new fires broke out.
Her interest in wildfires sparked when she arrived in California, questioning her safety and the reasons behind the fires. Initially, she regarded them as a distant issue, one more pertinent to the past. However, her journey uncovered the remarkable bravery and skill of firefighters, even as public sentiment sometimes turned against them. In one striking scene, Walker illustrates the frustrations voiced by Malibu residents, highlighting a tension between individual interests and communal safety oversights.
The stark reality of fire safety measures was illustrated during a town meeting in Paradise, held after the devastating loss of life in the fire. Walker captured the emotional responses of firefighters, advocating for safety changes that residents ultimately rejected, despite the pressing need for reform. “It was shocking to hear firefighters, with tears in their eyes, imploring the community to adopt safety measures only to be turned down,” she said.
Walker’s documentary contrasts with other portrayals of Paradise, like Ron Howard’s “Rebuilding Paradise,” which focus on community resilience. While she acknowledges the strength of the townspeople, she raises critical questions about the wisdom of rebuilding without a thorough reevaluation of the risks involved, given that these fires will likely continue.
Addressing where people choose to live is paramount in the discussion of fire safety. Walker points out that substantial population growth in wildland urban interface areas, which are particularly prone to fires, complicates the situation. These regions, often expensive to inhabit, are contributing to an unsustainable model, as insurance companies are beginning to recognize the associated risks.
Moreover, the design of homes plays a significant role in fire safety. Walker asks crucial questions about what constitutes a fire-resistant home, noting that certain materials and design choices can significantly impact safety. As she engages with those who have experienced loss, Walker is sensing a shift in mindset. Rather than a desire to hastily rebuild, many are grappling with the implications of potentially facing such disasters again: “What I’m hearing from people is not just ‘I can’t wait to rebuild. Let me rebuild,’” she explains, adding that the sentiment now leans towards reconsideration of how to approach rebuilding in fire-prone areas.
