The Netflix documentary Fire in Paradise recounts the events of the camp fire through first-hand accounts and video. Directed by Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper, Fire in Paradise documents the events of November 8, 2018; the day the camp fire broke out, resulting in the destruction of Paradise and 85 deaths. The documentary features profiles from survivors and dispatchers telling their personal accounts during the camp fire. Fire in Paradise is relatively short as far as documentaries go, with a runtime of 40 minutes. Aside from the interview clips and some B-roll footage, almost all of the footage in the documentary was from people from Paradise experiencing the fire first-hand and recording it on their phones. It’s clear that the production team behind the documentary is not from the Butte Country area, as this documentary failed to capture the severity – both long-term and short-term – of the camp fire’s effect. Some might find the horrowing escape stories relatable. One of the most noteworthy interviews from Fire in Paradise is that of Beth Bowersox, a 911 Cal Fire Dispatcher. She recounts the day of the fire and how the day’s events took a mental and emotional toll on her. Her account is heart-wrenching but serves as a reminder of how resilient dispatchers and first responders are. The documentary is worth a watch, but one must watch it cautiously especially the weak-hearted as one can find some scenes disturbing.

A onetime watch!

Rating:

– Compilation