Jean Strong, video team lead and videographer Adam Buchanan interviewing Nick Woods for a BC Wildfire Service video.

Image Credit: Submitted/BC Wildfire Service

BC Wildfire Service has long had a communications department charged with keeping media and the public informed when fires break out in their back yards.

That includes providing photos to media to illustrate those fires.

This year they have an expanded digital communications department that includes two full-time videographers, a team lead and two summer students.

“During the 2021 fire season, which was a really significant fire season in the province, we started to realize the impact that videos could have in terms of public education and information sharing,” team lead Jean Strong told iNFOnews.ca. “They landed really well with members of the public. We found that our audience really connected with video and being able to see the work that we’re doing, see the people that were out there on the ground.”

At this point, the videos posted on the BC Wildfire Service YouTube channel are getting from several hundred to a few thousand views. ‘The Fight Against McDougall Creek’ video posted Sunday has about 8,500 views on the YouTube channel but has also been posted on media sites where it draws many thousands of viewers.

Last year, with one videographer, 30 videos were produced. The count so far this season, with two full-time videographers, is up to 65.

Two of those focused on the McDougall Creek Wildfire in and around West Kelowna that was posted on the BC Wildfire Service’s YouTube site and Facebook page on Sunday.

READ MORE: Almost 2,400 still evacuated and 240 homes seriously damaged by West Kelowna wildfire

“They’ve been able to capture footage of fire behaviour that I really don’t think has been captured at all, or very rarely, elsewhere just because the videographers have the right combination of training and video experience,” Strong said. “It’s a huge benefit to public education and that’s really what it comes down to.”

“Seeing those Rank 5 or Rank 6 fires really moving can be really shocking because it’s not something that a lot of people have seen. It is really dangerous and it has been really important for us to be able to capture that to help the public understand why there may not be firefighters in one area or another and to show the danger and why there wouldn’t be staff put directly in front of that or why it wouldn’t be effective.”

Videographer Billy Stevens shooting a video of a prescribed burn near Rock Creek.

Image Credit: Submitted/BC Wildfire Service

Both videographers, Billy Stevens and Adam Buchanan, had years of hands-on experience actually fighting fires with BC Wildfires but also had an interest, or a business, in the video world.

“It’s very reassuring for me to know that we’re sending out videographers who have the experience, the safety knowledge, the training, the awareness and also, that know the culture of the crews and the culture of the organization and how to integrate themselves into that in a way that builds trust with our staff members,” Strong said. “It allows them to gather more authentic content.”

While some footage is used that has been shot by other crew members or the public, the vast majority is shot by Stevens and Buchanan. The also do all the editing, colour correcting, adding audio etc. so it’s all done in house.

READ MORE: Kelowna's Clifton neighbourhood was spared by preparation for fire, not good luck

“I’m not the one with camera in my hand,” Strong said. “But I’m in what I think is the coolest position in the organization in being able to support our videography team.”

That means things like organizing what is shot, setting up releases from organizations agreeing to be in the videos, making sure information used is accurate, coordinating social media postings and, at times, jumping in to conduct interviews.

But a big part of her job is also dealing with all the requests from media and documentary film producers that come pouring in heavier than can be fully accommodated.

Videographer Billy Sevens shooting from a helicopter.

Image Credit: Submitted/BC Wildfire Service

Last year the crew filmed seven trillion bytes of data.

It’s the size of those files that has made it a challenge to get the material out. The YouTube channel that Strong set up this year helps make them more accessible but a lot of clips have been by request.

Her plan is to set up a media page on the BC Wildfire Service’s website to make video and still photos more accessible faster for media next year.

That is part of the program for the winter but, just because the fires will die down and go out by then, doesn’t mean there isn’t work for Stevens and Buchanan to do.

“For the fall season we will be working on a 2023 season in review video," Strong said. "I would really like it to focus on our staff and the season through the eyes of those who worked it, more than a formal by the numbers video,” Strong said.

There’s also a long list of educational videos waiting to be produced.

Videographer Billy Stevens editing.

Image Credit: Submitted/BC Wildfire Service

Strong could not give the cost to the program since she could not reveal salaries.

Then there is the equipment, travel and accommodation costs, as with all crews on the road.

She did say that the money spent on the video team in no way impacts on the staffing to actually fight the fire. In fact, is sometimes works the other way.

“There have probably been a couple of times where they’ve been capturing content and have jumped into action when it’s needed in a really urgent response is emerging and ongoing,” Strong said. “They’ve been able to balance supporting the crews that are out there while also being able to capture content.”

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