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Transcript: Mystery of the Forest Flames
A child says, WHEE!
T.V.O. Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
[Serene music plays]
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in pigtails. She wears a blue denim vest over a pink, white, and purple hooded sweater, a brown shirt with pink flowers, and blue jeans. Around her, branches sway in the wind.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss narrates, THERE'S A WILD FORCE OUT THERE THAT'S A BIG THREAT TO OUR FORESTS. IT IS MISUNDERSTOOD, TRANSFORMATIVE, AND, MOST OF ALL, POWERFUL. WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS FORCE AND HOW CAN WE HARNESS ITS POWER FOR GOOD?
Taviss says, COME WITH ME. WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT.
Taviss steps over a log and runs into the forest.
[Upbeat music plays]
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
[Tinkling]
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
Taviss narrates, I'M VISITING THE TRADITIONAL LANDS OF THE ANISHINAABE PEOPLE TO DISCOVER THIS MYSTERY. TODAY, THIS AREA IS KNOWN AS PUKASKWA NATIONAL PARK, WHICH IS PART OF THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE BIIGTIGONG NISHNAABEG NATION.
In the forest, Basil Goodchild wears a green T-shirt, eyeglasses and white pants. His black hair is short. He stands by a river and looks at the water.
[Water burbling]
Taviss narrates, AND THIS IS BASIL GOODCHILD. HE'S FROM BIIGTIGONG NISHNAABEG FIRST NATION, AND HE'S GOING TO GIVE ME THE HISTORY LOWDOWN ON TODAY'S MYSTERY.
AND A MYSTERY IT IS. A THREAT THAT THE FOREST ALSO NEEDS? THAT'S SOME KIND OF RIDDLE. WHO CAME UP WITH THAT? OH, IT WAS ME. HA HA!
Taviss and Basil meet by the edge of the water.
Basil explains, IT'S MORE COMMONLY VIEWED AS A THREAT, BUT FIRE IS ACTUALLY A GREAT FRIEND OF THE FOREST.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a flame and an evergreen tree high-five.
[Boinging, scratching]
A voice says, OOH! HIGH FIVE.
The flame burns one of the tree’s branches.
[Whooshing]
The voice says, OOPS. MY BAD.
[Whooshing]
By the water, Basil says, ANISHINAABE PEOPLE AND OTHER INDIGENOUS CULTURES HAVE BEEN USING FIRE TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE LAND FOR CENTURIES.
Taviss says, WAIT...
[Record scratching]
Taviss narrates, ARE YOU CONFUSED? I'M CONFUSED. I'M CONFUSED.
Taviss says, I THOUGHT FIRE WAS A THREAT TO THE FOREST.
Basil says, I KNOW. IT'S A LOT TO TAKE IN. WALK WITH ME.
Basil and Taviss walk in the forest.
[Footsteps crunching]
Basil says, FIRST NATION KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES FOCUS ON KEEPING THE LAND HEALTHY AND BOUNTIFUL AS OUR SURVIVAL OFTEN DEPENDED ON IT.
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT DOES FIRE HAVE TO DO WITH IT?
Basil says, WELL, YOU SEE, THIS UNDERGROWTH, IF IT BECOMES TOO THICK OR A SPECIES STARTS TO TAKE OVER AND GROW TOO FAST, IT MAKES IT REALLY HARD FOR OTHER SPECIES TO GROW.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a seed tries to push through the ground, but thick roots and undergrowth block the way.
The seed says, UM, EXCUSE ME. IS THERE A SPOT FOR ME MAYBE?
A plant says, SCRAM, KID.
[Plinking, whooshing]
In the forest, Basil says, AN OVERLY THICK UNDERGROWTH IS PERFECT FUEL FOR A WILDFIRE.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss asks, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
Basil says, IF THE UNDERGROWTH HASN'T BEEN CLEARED IN A WHILE, ALL OF THIS MATERIAL GOES UP IN FLAMES LIKE THAT.
[Fingers snapping]
Basil says, BUT IF IT'S BEEN MAINTAINED BY A FIRE... THERE WOULDN'T BE AS MUCH TO BURN.
Taviss asks, DOES THAT MEAN THE FIRE IS LESS DAMAGING?
Basil says, EXACTLY.
Taviss asks, HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD THIS?
Basil says, THESE INDIGENOUS PRACTICES WERE BANNED BY THE GOVERNMENT. BUT AFTER A FEW GENERATIONS, WE STARTED TO SEE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS.
Taviss asks, WHOA. SO THE LACK OF FIRE CAN BE CAUSING FIRE?
Basil says, IT COULD BE A FACTOR. SO, NOW, FIRE EXPERTS AND ECOLOGISTS HAVE STARTED CONDUCTING PRESCRIBED FIRES. YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT A BEFORE AND AFTER?
Taviss says, SURE.
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
Basil says, SO THIS IS A SITE WHERE WE CONDUCTED A BURN 13 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY ON THE FIRE CREW.
Video footage shows a line of fire burning in the forest.
In the present, Basil says, SO WE BURNED THIS SIDE... AND WE LEFT THIS SIDE ALONE.
The side of the forest left alone has thick growth.
Taviss says, THERE'S A LOT MORE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANTS OVER HERE.
Basil says, YEAH, YOU CAN SEE A LOT MORE BIODIVERSITY IN THE REGENERATION COMPARED TO THIS SIDE WHERE IT'S THE SAME SPECIES THROUGHOUT.
Taviss says, SO THE FIRE CLEARED THE UNDERGROWTH AND THEN DIFFERENT PLANTS CAN GROW. SUPER COOL. SO HOW DO WE EVEN START A PRESCRIBED FIRE? LIKE YOU CAN'T JUST GO OUT IN THE FOREST AND START WELL, A FIRE.
Basil says, DEFINITELY NOT. IT TAKES A LOT OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH TO DO A PRESCRIBED FIRE. THIS ONE TOOK US AROUND THREE YEARS.
[Boinging]
Taviss narrates, UH, YEARS? BUT I'M HERE FOR ONE DAY!
Basil says, BUT WE CAN GIVE YOU THE SHORT VERSION TODAY IF THAT'S COOL.
Taviss says, DEAL.
[Whooshing]
A montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads, “Where in the World?”
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Fires burn in forests.
Taviss narrates, PRESCRIBED FIRE PRACTICES ARE ANCIENT. AND NOT ONLY IN CANADA. INDIGENOUS FIRE PRACTICES ARE NOW BEING REVIVED IN COUNTRIES LIKE AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES.
A map shows the locations of Australia, the United States, Brazil, Venezuela, and Namibia.
[Boinging, slide whistle]
Taviss narrates, AND OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE BRAZIL, VENEZUELA AND NAMIBIA ARE CATCHING ON TOO. THE WORLD IS FINALLY WAKING UP TO THIS ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE. FORESTS NEED FIRE.
[Whooshing]
In Pukaskwa National Park, Taviss arrives at a Parks Canada building and waves to Mike Small. Mike wears a grey ball cap over his short grey hair. He wears a yellow jacket, a grey shirt, and dark grey pants.
[Chiming]
Taviss narrates, MEET MIKE. HE'S PUKASKWA'S FIRE MANAGEMENT OFFICER. HE'S GOING TO SHOW ME HOW THEY MAKE A PRESCRIBED FIRE HAPPEN.
Mike says, ONCE WE'VE PICKED A SITE, WE HAVE TO LEARN EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN ABOUT IT. WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT THE FOREST TYPE. WE HAVE TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANY SPECIES AT RISK AROUND. WE HAVE TO DO A LOT OF MAPPING BECAUSE WE RELY ON NATURAL BOUNDARIES LIKE SWAMPS AND LAKES AND RIVERS.
AND ONCE WE HAVE ALL THAT UNDERSTOOD, THEN WE START TO WRITE A PLAN. AND ONCE WE'RE ALL PREPARED, IT'S UP TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.
[Rock music plays]
Mike, Alex Sinkins, and Taviss stand by a ramp. Alex wears a dark green ball cap, a yellow jacket, and olive green pants. He has short brown hair and a beard. Alex stands with his hands on his hips.
Mike says, THIS IS OUR TRAINING TEST SITE.
Alex says, YEAH, NOT EVERYONE COULD BE INVOLVED IN A PRESCRIBED FIRE. YOU HAVE TO BE A FIREFIGHTER, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE READY FOR ANY SCENARIO. YOU HAVE TO BE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY STRONG.
Mike asks, ARE YOU READY?
Taviss asks, READY FOR WHAT?
Mike and Alex say, FOR TRAINING.
[Cymbal crashes]
Taviss narrates, LET'S GO! I GOT THIS.
Mike says, HERE, TAVISS, WE'RE GONNA PUT THIS BELT ON FIRST.
Taviss says, OKAY.
Mike says, THIS WEIGHS TEN POUNDS.
Taviss says, TEN POUNDS.
Mike says, OKAY.
Taviss says, OH!
Mike fastens the weighted belt around Taviss’s waist.
Mike says, OKAY. NOW YOU HAVE TO PICK UP THIS 50 POUND BAG, AND THEN WE WANT YOU TO GO UP AND DOWN THAT RAMP.
[Taviss grunting]
Taviss narrates, OKAY, MAYBE I DON'T GOT THIS.
Taviss struggles to pick up the large, weighted bag.
[Taviss grunting]
Mike says, UM, OKAY. LET'S JUST GO WITH THE BELT.
Taviss says, OKAY.
[Rock music continues]
Mike says, IT'S ONE. THIS DOESN'T COUNT.
Taviss says, OKAY.
Taviss walks up one side of the steep ramp.
Mike says, SHORT STEPS ON THE WAY DOWN.
Taviss walks down the steep ramp.
[Taviss yips, footsteps thumping]
Taviss runs around the ramp and walks over it again.
Alex says, OKAY. GOOD JOB.
[Taviss breathing heavily, footsteps thumping]
Taviss says, OH, YEAH. THIS IS FUN.
Mike says, OH, I THINK YOU GOT IT. OKAY, MAYBE YOU SHOULD DO IT FOUR TIMES.
Taviss says, OKAY.
Taviss runs around the ramp and goes over it four times.
Taviss says, HEY.
Mike says, NICE JOB.
Taviss poses and says, WE SLAYED THAT.
Mike points and says, BUT YOU STILL HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO.
Alex says, AND FUNNY ENOUGH, IT'S A SLEIGH.
They walk to a sleigh attached to a hose. The sleigh carries two concrete cinder blocks.
Alex says, SO, FOR THIS, TAVISS, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS HOSE AND PUT IT OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND SEE IF YOU COULD PULL THIS SLEIGH.
Taviss says, I COULD DO THAT.
Alex says, YEAH.
Taviss says, EASY.
Alex says, SEE HOW FAR YOU CAN GO.
[Taviss groaning, grunting]
Mike says, LET US KNOW WHEN YOU'RE TRYING.
Alex takes the cinder blocks off the sleigh, and Taviss pulls it forward.
[Clunking]
Mike says, OKAY, GO AS FAR AS YOU CAN.
[Rock music fades out]
Taviss says, OH, YEAH! I'M DOING IT!
[Grass rustling]
Alex says, NICE JOB.
WANNA SEE HOW IT'S REALLY DONE?
Taviss says, YES.
Mike says, OKAY.
Alex nods.
[Fun music plays]
Taviss cheers, GO, ALEX. GO, GO, GO, GO!
Alex wears the fifty-pound bag on his back. He runs up and down the steep ramp.
[Thudding]
Taviss says, YEAH, IT LOOKS A LOT HARDER WITH 50 POUNDS.
Alex drags the sleigh with the two cinder blocks on top.
[Grass rustling]
Taviss says, WHOA! YEAH, ALEX! YOU GOT THIS, YOU GOT THIS.
[Mike chuckling]
Mike says, ALL RIGHT. GOOD JOB.
Taviss says, YOU DID IT!
Taviss and Alex high-five.
[Hands slapping, Alex panting]
Alex says, HIGH-FIVE.
[Whooshing]
Taviss walks with Mike and Alex through tall grass and plants. Everyone wears a blue helmet with a face shield raised and a bright yellow jacket.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, THE NEXT IMPORTANT STEP IN THE PRESCRIBED FIRE PROCESS: PUTTING IT OUT. I'D SAY THAT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT.
They crouch in tall grass.
Mike says, SO, NORMALLY, WHEN WE HAVE PRESCRIBED FIRES, WE USE NATURAL WATER SOURCES FOR BOUNDARIES. BUT, IN THIS CASE, WE HAVE A WATER SOURCE. SO, FOR TODAY'S SIMULATION WE'LL USE THIS PUMP.
A hose leads from the water to a red pump. Taviss attaches a hose to the other side of the pump.
[Squeaking]
Mike says, WITH YOUR HELP WE'LL GET THIS PUMP SET UP. AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO UP THE LINE TO START SPRAYING WATER.
Alex says, ALL RIGHT TAVISS, YOU'RE ALL CONNECTED SO NOW WE JUST GOTTA WALK TO THE EDGE OF THE FIRE.
Taviss wears the red bag on her back and walks slowly. The hose attached to the pump unspools from the bag. Alex walks on the hose behind her and flattens it.
Alex says, THERE YOU GO. GOOD JOB.
Taviss narrates, IT FEELS LIKE I'M ALL SUITED UP TO FIGHT SOME GHOSTS. OR A FIRE. THAT MAKES MORE SENSE.
[Exciting music plays]
[Radio beeping]
Taviss ,speaking into a walkie-talkie, says, WE'RE READY FOR WATER. I REPEAT, WE'RE READY FOR WATER.
[Radio beeping]
Voice over walkie-talkie says, COPY THAT. WATER COMING.
Alex holds the end of the hose, and water sprays out.
Taviss says, WHOA!
Alex asks, DO YOU WANT TO TRY THE NOZZLE?
Taviss says, SURE.
Alex says, OKAY, JUST MAKE SURE YOU GOT A GOOD GRIP ON IT.
Alex gives Taviss the hose, and she sprays trees.
Taviss says, WHOO!
Alex says, GOOD JOB, TAVIS.
In an animation, water pours on the flame.
[Steam hissing]
The flame grumbles, NOT AGAIN.
The flame’s eyeballs roll on the ground.
[Squeaking]
The animation ends.
[Taviss exclaiming excitedly]
Alex says, THERE YOU GO, PUT IT OUT.
[Alex chuckling, water spraying]
Alex says, PUT OUT THE FIRE!
[Drumsticks tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss says, HERE AT PUKASKWA NATIONAL PARK, THERE'S A TOTALLY COOL ANISHINAABE CAMP. IT HAS TRADITIONAL STRUCTURES OF THE ANISHINAABE PEOPLE. LET'S CHECK THIS OUT.
Taviss says, OHHH...
Taviss enters a birch bark building.
Taviss says, WHOA! THIS IS COOL.
Taviss enters a tiipii.
Taviss says, AH, I LIKE THIS PLACE.
Taviss says, OH!
Taviss enters a tiipii-shaped birch bark building that has an open bottom. She lies down on her back on the ground.
Taviss says, WOW. THIS IS MY FAVOURITE PLACE.
[Rock music fades out, whooshing]
In the forest, Alex says, ALL RIGHT, TAVISS, SO YOU WANT TO SEE MY FAVOURITE AND PROBABLY THE MOST USEFUL TOOL WE HAVE TO WORK ON PRESCRIBED FIRE?
Taviss says, SURE.
Alex says, ALL RIGHT.
[Footsteps rustling]
[Upbeat music plays, helicopter rotor blades whirring]
Taviss says, YOU ARE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS. IT'S A HELICOPTER!
Taviss sits beside the pilot in the helicopter.
Taviss says, LET'S RIDE.
[Exciting music plays]
Alex sits in the back seat of the helicopter and leans forward. Taviss smiles broadly and looks down at the thick forest.
Alex, over radio, says, WE ACTUALLY USE HELICOPTERS SOMETIMES TO LIGHT PRESCRIBED FIRES. SO, WHEN WE DO THAT, WE WOULD HOVER DOWN CLOSER TO THE FOREST FLOOR AND WE WOULD DROP OUR IGNITION DEVICES.
AND THEN, ONCE THE FIRE IS LIT, WE WOULD USE THE HELICOPTER FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER TO MONITOR AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRE DOESN'T ESCAPE OUR CONTROL LINE AND BECOME A WILDFIRE.
ANOTHER THING WE USE THE HELICOPTER FOR, TOO, TAVISS, IS TO DETECT FIRES. SO WE WOULD BE JUST LOOKING AROUND THE HORIZON TO SEE IF WE COULD SEE ANY SMOKE.
SO JUST MAKE SURE YOU'RE LOOKING UP AND AROUND. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING, JUST LET US KNOW, AND CHECK IT OUT, OKAY?
[Rotor blades whirring]
Taviss, over the radio, says, OKAY, I DON'T SEE ANY SMOKE SO FAR.
Alex, over the radio, says YEAH. NO SMOKE, SO WE'RE GOOD. FOR PRESCRIBED FIRES, THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL WE HAVE.
Taviss, over the radio, says THIS IS AWESOME!
The helicopter lands in a field.
Taviss narrates, WOWZERS! HELICOPTERS, WATER HOSES AND FITNESS TESTS.
Flashbacks show Taviss spraying the trees with the hose and pulling the sleigh.
[Background chatter]
Taviss narrates, THIS FIREFIGHTER IN TRAINING NEEDS A BREAK.
Taviss throws the red bag on the ground.
[Background chatter, thumping, exciting music ends]
[Whooshing]
Sunlight reflects off a river.
[Soothing music plays, water gently splashing]
Mike, Basil, Taviss, and Alex sit on benches.
Taviss says, YOU GUYS ARE ALL AMAZING. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH WORK GOES INTO ONE PRESCRIBED FIRE.
Alex says, YEAH. FOR SURE. A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WORK IS INVOLVED.
Basil says, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DOING PRESCRIBED BURNS FOR CENTURIES. IT'S ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW INDIGENOUS PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR THE LAND.
Mike says, AND HOW MUCH WE STILL HAVE TO LEARN.
Taviss says, TOTALLY. AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FIRE CAN BE GOOD FOR THE FOREST. NOW THAT'S A WELL-KEPT FOREST SECRET.
[Whooshing]
[Serene music plays]
In a flashback, Basil and Taviss crouch beside undergrowth in the forest, firefighters spray water on a fire, Alex and Taviss ride in the helicopter, and Taviss sprays water on the trees.
[Host spraying water]
Taviss narrates, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN USING FIRE FOR CENTURIES TO MAINTAIN THE LAND. NOW, PRESCRIBED FIRES ARE PLANNED AND EXECUTED TO HELP BIODIVERSITY AND PREVENT WILDFIRES.
FROM ON THE GROUND TO UP IN THE AIR, IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK TO EXECUTE THIS ANCIENT AND IMPORTANT PRACTICE.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT. FIRE IS A FRIEND TO THE FOREST!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Melissa Peters. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Basil Goodchild, Mike Small, and Alex Sinkins. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
T.V.O. Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
[Serene music plays]
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in pigtails. She wears a blue denim vest over a pink, white, and purple hooded sweater, a brown shirt with pink flowers, and blue jeans. Around her, branches sway in the wind.
[Leaves rustling]
Taviss narrates, THERE'S A WILD FORCE OUT THERE THAT'S A BIG THREAT TO OUR FORESTS. IT IS MISUNDERSTOOD, TRANSFORMATIVE, AND, MOST OF ALL, POWERFUL. WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS FORCE AND HOW CAN WE HARNESS ITS POWER FOR GOOD?
Taviss says, COME WITH ME. WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT.
Taviss steps over a log and runs into the forest.
[Upbeat music plays]
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
[Tinkling]
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
Taviss narrates, I'M VISITING THE TRADITIONAL LANDS OF THE ANISHINAABE PEOPLE TO DISCOVER THIS MYSTERY. TODAY, THIS AREA IS KNOWN AS PUKASKWA NATIONAL PARK, WHICH IS PART OF THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE BIIGTIGONG NISHNAABEG NATION.
In the forest, Basil Goodchild wears a green T-shirt, eyeglasses and white pants. His black hair is short. He stands by a river and looks at the water.
[Water burbling]
Taviss narrates, AND THIS IS BASIL GOODCHILD. HE'S FROM BIIGTIGONG NISHNAABEG FIRST NATION, AND HE'S GOING TO GIVE ME THE HISTORY LOWDOWN ON TODAY'S MYSTERY.
AND A MYSTERY IT IS. A THREAT THAT THE FOREST ALSO NEEDS? THAT'S SOME KIND OF RIDDLE. WHO CAME UP WITH THAT? OH, IT WAS ME. HA HA!
Taviss and Basil meet by the edge of the water.
Basil explains, IT'S MORE COMMONLY VIEWED AS A THREAT, BUT FIRE IS ACTUALLY A GREAT FRIEND OF THE FOREST.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a flame and an evergreen tree high-five.
[Boinging, scratching]
A voice says, OOH! HIGH FIVE.
The flame burns one of the tree’s branches.
[Whooshing]
The voice says, OOPS. MY BAD.
[Whooshing]
By the water, Basil says, ANISHINAABE PEOPLE AND OTHER INDIGENOUS CULTURES HAVE BEEN USING FIRE TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE LAND FOR CENTURIES.
Taviss says, WAIT...
[Record scratching]
Taviss narrates, ARE YOU CONFUSED? I'M CONFUSED. I'M CONFUSED.
Taviss says, I THOUGHT FIRE WAS A THREAT TO THE FOREST.
Basil says, I KNOW. IT'S A LOT TO TAKE IN. WALK WITH ME.
Basil and Taviss walk in the forest.
[Footsteps crunching]
Basil says, FIRST NATION KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES FOCUS ON KEEPING THE LAND HEALTHY AND BOUNTIFUL AS OUR SURVIVAL OFTEN DEPENDED ON IT.
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT DOES FIRE HAVE TO DO WITH IT?
Basil says, WELL, YOU SEE, THIS UNDERGROWTH, IF IT BECOMES TOO THICK OR A SPECIES STARTS TO TAKE OVER AND GROW TOO FAST, IT MAKES IT REALLY HARD FOR OTHER SPECIES TO GROW.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a seed tries to push through the ground, but thick roots and undergrowth block the way.
The seed says, UM, EXCUSE ME. IS THERE A SPOT FOR ME MAYBE?
A plant says, SCRAM, KID.
[Plinking, whooshing]
In the forest, Basil says, AN OVERLY THICK UNDERGROWTH IS PERFECT FUEL FOR A WILDFIRE.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss asks, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
Basil says, IF THE UNDERGROWTH HASN'T BEEN CLEARED IN A WHILE, ALL OF THIS MATERIAL GOES UP IN FLAMES LIKE THAT.
[Fingers snapping]
Basil says, BUT IF IT'S BEEN MAINTAINED BY A FIRE... THERE WOULDN'T BE AS MUCH TO BURN.
Taviss asks, DOES THAT MEAN THE FIRE IS LESS DAMAGING?
Basil says, EXACTLY.
Taviss asks, HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD THIS?
Basil says, THESE INDIGENOUS PRACTICES WERE BANNED BY THE GOVERNMENT. BUT AFTER A FEW GENERATIONS, WE STARTED TO SEE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS.
Taviss asks, WHOA. SO THE LACK OF FIRE CAN BE CAUSING FIRE?
Basil says, IT COULD BE A FACTOR. SO, NOW, FIRE EXPERTS AND ECOLOGISTS HAVE STARTED CONDUCTING PRESCRIBED FIRES. YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT A BEFORE AND AFTER?
Taviss says, SURE.
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
Basil says, SO THIS IS A SITE WHERE WE CONDUCTED A BURN 13 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY ON THE FIRE CREW.
Video footage shows a line of fire burning in the forest.
In the present, Basil says, SO WE BURNED THIS SIDE... AND WE LEFT THIS SIDE ALONE.
The side of the forest left alone has thick growth.
Taviss says, THERE'S A LOT MORE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANTS OVER HERE.
Basil says, YEAH, YOU CAN SEE A LOT MORE BIODIVERSITY IN THE REGENERATION COMPARED TO THIS SIDE WHERE IT'S THE SAME SPECIES THROUGHOUT.
Taviss says, SO THE FIRE CLEARED THE UNDERGROWTH AND THEN DIFFERENT PLANTS CAN GROW. SUPER COOL. SO HOW DO WE EVEN START A PRESCRIBED FIRE? LIKE YOU CAN'T JUST GO OUT IN THE FOREST AND START WELL, A FIRE.
Basil says, DEFINITELY NOT. IT TAKES A LOT OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH TO DO A PRESCRIBED FIRE. THIS ONE TOOK US AROUND THREE YEARS.
[Boinging]
Taviss narrates, UH, YEARS? BUT I'M HERE FOR ONE DAY!
Basil says, BUT WE CAN GIVE YOU THE SHORT VERSION TODAY IF THAT'S COOL.
Taviss says, DEAL.
[Whooshing]
A montage shows rocks in a desert, a giraffe, mist rising off a river, mountains, blue water splashing against a shore. Text reads, “Where in the World?”
[Exciting percussive music plays]
Fires burn in forests.
Taviss narrates, PRESCRIBED FIRE PRACTICES ARE ANCIENT. AND NOT ONLY IN CANADA. INDIGENOUS FIRE PRACTICES ARE NOW BEING REVIVED IN COUNTRIES LIKE AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES.
A map shows the locations of Australia, the United States, Brazil, Venezuela, and Namibia.
[Boinging, slide whistle]
Taviss narrates, AND OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE BRAZIL, VENEZUELA AND NAMIBIA ARE CATCHING ON TOO. THE WORLD IS FINALLY WAKING UP TO THIS ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE. FORESTS NEED FIRE.
[Whooshing]
In Pukaskwa National Park, Taviss arrives at a Parks Canada building and waves to Mike Small. Mike wears a grey ball cap over his short grey hair. He wears a yellow jacket, a grey shirt, and dark grey pants.
[Chiming]
Taviss narrates, MEET MIKE. HE'S PUKASKWA'S FIRE MANAGEMENT OFFICER. HE'S GOING TO SHOW ME HOW THEY MAKE A PRESCRIBED FIRE HAPPEN.
Mike says, ONCE WE'VE PICKED A SITE, WE HAVE TO LEARN EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN ABOUT IT. WE HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT THE FOREST TYPE. WE HAVE TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANY SPECIES AT RISK AROUND. WE HAVE TO DO A LOT OF MAPPING BECAUSE WE RELY ON NATURAL BOUNDARIES LIKE SWAMPS AND LAKES AND RIVERS.
AND ONCE WE HAVE ALL THAT UNDERSTOOD, THEN WE START TO WRITE A PLAN. AND ONCE WE'RE ALL PREPARED, IT'S UP TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.
[Rock music plays]
Mike, Alex Sinkins, and Taviss stand by a ramp. Alex wears a dark green ball cap, a yellow jacket, and olive green pants. He has short brown hair and a beard. Alex stands with his hands on his hips.
Mike says, THIS IS OUR TRAINING TEST SITE.
Alex says, YEAH, NOT EVERYONE COULD BE INVOLVED IN A PRESCRIBED FIRE. YOU HAVE TO BE A FIREFIGHTER, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE READY FOR ANY SCENARIO. YOU HAVE TO BE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY STRONG.
Mike asks, ARE YOU READY?
Taviss asks, READY FOR WHAT?
Mike and Alex say, FOR TRAINING.
[Cymbal crashes]
Taviss narrates, LET'S GO! I GOT THIS.
Mike says, HERE, TAVISS, WE'RE GONNA PUT THIS BELT ON FIRST.
Taviss says, OKAY.
Mike says, THIS WEIGHS TEN POUNDS.
Taviss says, TEN POUNDS.
Mike says, OKAY.
Taviss says, OH!
Mike fastens the weighted belt around Taviss’s waist.
Mike says, OKAY. NOW YOU HAVE TO PICK UP THIS 50 POUND BAG, AND THEN WE WANT YOU TO GO UP AND DOWN THAT RAMP.
[Taviss grunting]
Taviss narrates, OKAY, MAYBE I DON'T GOT THIS.
Taviss struggles to pick up the large, weighted bag.
[Taviss grunting]
Mike says, UM, OKAY. LET'S JUST GO WITH THE BELT.
Taviss says, OKAY.
[Rock music continues]
Mike says, IT'S ONE. THIS DOESN'T COUNT.
Taviss says, OKAY.
Taviss walks up one side of the steep ramp.
Mike says, SHORT STEPS ON THE WAY DOWN.
Taviss walks down the steep ramp.
[Taviss yips, footsteps thumping]
Taviss runs around the ramp and walks over it again.
Alex says, OKAY. GOOD JOB.
[Taviss breathing heavily, footsteps thumping]
Taviss says, OH, YEAH. THIS IS FUN.
Mike says, OH, I THINK YOU GOT IT. OKAY, MAYBE YOU SHOULD DO IT FOUR TIMES.
Taviss says, OKAY.
Taviss runs around the ramp and goes over it four times.
Taviss says, HEY.
Mike says, NICE JOB.
Taviss poses and says, WE SLAYED THAT.
Mike points and says, BUT YOU STILL HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO.
Alex says, AND FUNNY ENOUGH, IT'S A SLEIGH.
They walk to a sleigh attached to a hose. The sleigh carries two concrete cinder blocks.
Alex says, SO, FOR THIS, TAVISS, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS HOSE AND PUT IT OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND SEE IF YOU COULD PULL THIS SLEIGH.
Taviss says, I COULD DO THAT.
Alex says, YEAH.
Taviss says, EASY.
Alex says, SEE HOW FAR YOU CAN GO.
[Taviss groaning, grunting]
Mike says, LET US KNOW WHEN YOU'RE TRYING.
Alex takes the cinder blocks off the sleigh, and Taviss pulls it forward.
[Clunking]
Mike says, OKAY, GO AS FAR AS YOU CAN.
[Rock music fades out]
Taviss says, OH, YEAH! I'M DOING IT!
[Grass rustling]
Alex says, NICE JOB.
WANNA SEE HOW IT'S REALLY DONE?
Taviss says, YES.
Mike says, OKAY.
Alex nods.
[Fun music plays]
Taviss cheers, GO, ALEX. GO, GO, GO, GO!
Alex wears the fifty-pound bag on his back. He runs up and down the steep ramp.
[Thudding]
Taviss says, YEAH, IT LOOKS A LOT HARDER WITH 50 POUNDS.
Alex drags the sleigh with the two cinder blocks on top.
[Grass rustling]
Taviss says, WHOA! YEAH, ALEX! YOU GOT THIS, YOU GOT THIS.
[Mike chuckling]
Mike says, ALL RIGHT. GOOD JOB.
Taviss says, YOU DID IT!
Taviss and Alex high-five.
[Hands slapping, Alex panting]
Alex says, HIGH-FIVE.
[Whooshing]
Taviss walks with Mike and Alex through tall grass and plants. Everyone wears a blue helmet with a face shield raised and a bright yellow jacket.
[Rustling, upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, THE NEXT IMPORTANT STEP IN THE PRESCRIBED FIRE PROCESS: PUTTING IT OUT. I'D SAY THAT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT.
They crouch in tall grass.
Mike says, SO, NORMALLY, WHEN WE HAVE PRESCRIBED FIRES, WE USE NATURAL WATER SOURCES FOR BOUNDARIES. BUT, IN THIS CASE, WE HAVE A WATER SOURCE. SO, FOR TODAY'S SIMULATION WE'LL USE THIS PUMP.
A hose leads from the water to a red pump. Taviss attaches a hose to the other side of the pump.
[Squeaking]
Mike says, WITH YOUR HELP WE'LL GET THIS PUMP SET UP. AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO UP THE LINE TO START SPRAYING WATER.
Alex says, ALL RIGHT TAVISS, YOU'RE ALL CONNECTED SO NOW WE JUST GOTTA WALK TO THE EDGE OF THE FIRE.
Taviss wears the red bag on her back and walks slowly. The hose attached to the pump unspools from the bag. Alex walks on the hose behind her and flattens it.
Alex says, THERE YOU GO. GOOD JOB.
Taviss narrates, IT FEELS LIKE I'M ALL SUITED UP TO FIGHT SOME GHOSTS. OR A FIRE. THAT MAKES MORE SENSE.
[Exciting music plays]
[Radio beeping]
Taviss ,speaking into a walkie-talkie, says, WE'RE READY FOR WATER. I REPEAT, WE'RE READY FOR WATER.
[Radio beeping]
Voice over walkie-talkie says, COPY THAT. WATER COMING.
Alex holds the end of the hose, and water sprays out.
Taviss says, WHOA!
Alex asks, DO YOU WANT TO TRY THE NOZZLE?
Taviss says, SURE.
Alex says, OKAY, JUST MAKE SURE YOU GOT A GOOD GRIP ON IT.
Alex gives Taviss the hose, and she sprays trees.
Taviss says, WHOO!
Alex says, GOOD JOB, TAVIS.
In an animation, water pours on the flame.
[Steam hissing]
The flame grumbles, NOT AGAIN.
The flame’s eyeballs roll on the ground.
[Squeaking]
The animation ends.
[Taviss exclaiming excitedly]
Alex says, THERE YOU GO, PUT IT OUT.
[Alex chuckling, water spraying]
Alex says, PUT OUT THE FIRE!
[Drumsticks tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss says, HERE AT PUKASKWA NATIONAL PARK, THERE'S A TOTALLY COOL ANISHINAABE CAMP. IT HAS TRADITIONAL STRUCTURES OF THE ANISHINAABE PEOPLE. LET'S CHECK THIS OUT.
Taviss says, OHHH...
Taviss enters a birch bark building.
Taviss says, WHOA! THIS IS COOL.
Taviss enters a tiipii.
Taviss says, AH, I LIKE THIS PLACE.
Taviss says, OH!
Taviss enters a tiipii-shaped birch bark building that has an open bottom. She lies down on her back on the ground.
Taviss says, WOW. THIS IS MY FAVOURITE PLACE.
[Rock music fades out, whooshing]
In the forest, Alex says, ALL RIGHT, TAVISS, SO YOU WANT TO SEE MY FAVOURITE AND PROBABLY THE MOST USEFUL TOOL WE HAVE TO WORK ON PRESCRIBED FIRE?
Taviss says, SURE.
Alex says, ALL RIGHT.
[Footsteps rustling]
[Upbeat music plays, helicopter rotor blades whirring]
Taviss says, YOU ARE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS. IT'S A HELICOPTER!
Taviss sits beside the pilot in the helicopter.
Taviss says, LET'S RIDE.
[Exciting music plays]
Alex sits in the back seat of the helicopter and leans forward. Taviss smiles broadly and looks down at the thick forest.
Alex, over radio, says, WE ACTUALLY USE HELICOPTERS SOMETIMES TO LIGHT PRESCRIBED FIRES. SO, WHEN WE DO THAT, WE WOULD HOVER DOWN CLOSER TO THE FOREST FLOOR AND WE WOULD DROP OUR IGNITION DEVICES.
AND THEN, ONCE THE FIRE IS LIT, WE WOULD USE THE HELICOPTER FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER TO MONITOR AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRE DOESN'T ESCAPE OUR CONTROL LINE AND BECOME A WILDFIRE.
ANOTHER THING WE USE THE HELICOPTER FOR, TOO, TAVISS, IS TO DETECT FIRES. SO WE WOULD BE JUST LOOKING AROUND THE HORIZON TO SEE IF WE COULD SEE ANY SMOKE.
SO JUST MAKE SURE YOU'RE LOOKING UP AND AROUND. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING, JUST LET US KNOW, AND CHECK IT OUT, OKAY?
[Rotor blades whirring]
Taviss, over the radio, says, OKAY, I DON'T SEE ANY SMOKE SO FAR.
Alex, over the radio, says YEAH. NO SMOKE, SO WE'RE GOOD. FOR PRESCRIBED FIRES, THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL WE HAVE.
Taviss, over the radio, says THIS IS AWESOME!
The helicopter lands in a field.
Taviss narrates, WOWZERS! HELICOPTERS, WATER HOSES AND FITNESS TESTS.
Flashbacks show Taviss spraying the trees with the hose and pulling the sleigh.
[Background chatter]
Taviss narrates, THIS FIREFIGHTER IN TRAINING NEEDS A BREAK.
Taviss throws the red bag on the ground.
[Background chatter, thumping, exciting music ends]
[Whooshing]
Sunlight reflects off a river.
[Soothing music plays, water gently splashing]
Mike, Basil, Taviss, and Alex sit on benches.
Taviss says, YOU GUYS ARE ALL AMAZING. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH WORK GOES INTO ONE PRESCRIBED FIRE.
Alex says, YEAH. FOR SURE. A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WORK IS INVOLVED.
Basil says, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DOING PRESCRIBED BURNS FOR CENTURIES. IT'S ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW INDIGENOUS PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR THE LAND.
Mike says, AND HOW MUCH WE STILL HAVE TO LEARN.
Taviss says, TOTALLY. AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FIRE CAN BE GOOD FOR THE FOREST. NOW THAT'S A WELL-KEPT FOREST SECRET.
[Whooshing]
[Serene music plays]
In a flashback, Basil and Taviss crouch beside undergrowth in the forest, firefighters spray water on a fire, Alex and Taviss ride in the helicopter, and Taviss sprays water on the trees.
[Host spraying water]
Taviss narrates, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN USING FIRE FOR CENTURIES TO MAINTAIN THE LAND. NOW, PRESCRIBED FIRES ARE PLANNED AND EXECUTED TO HELP BIODIVERSITY AND PREVENT WILDFIRES.
FROM ON THE GROUND TO UP IN THE AIR, IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK TO EXECUTE THIS ANCIENT AND IMPORTANT PRACTICE.
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT. FIRE IS A FRIEND TO THE FOREST!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Melissa Peters. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Basil Goodchild, Mike Small, and Alex Sinkins. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
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