(Zoom) Elemental, an investigative documentary about fire in the West

Activity Notes

Elemental, an investigative documentary about fire in the West.

Elemental features cutting edge scientists and native tribal leaders charting a path forward toward a safer, more-balanced relationship with wildfire. Through the lens, you will visit labs where researchers burn down homes to discover the weak points, and we learn from native fire practitioners who carry on their burning tradition, and hear stories from survivors.

While fire is powerful, and does destroy homes and communities, the film’s core message is that there are solutions that will allow us to live with this powerful force. The film lifts up the voices of respected, qualified scientists and brings them to a popular audience alongside native people who have been living and thriving with fire since time immemorial.

Ralph Bloemers, founder of and strategic advisor at the Crag Law Center, is also a filmmaker and the Executive Producer of the film. His work has been featured on OPB’s Field Guide and in the Emmy nominated short film about the role that power line ignitions played in the 2020 fires.

Ralph and Director Trip Jennings will be on hand after the screening for a Q&A and discussion of how you can prepare for fire and help ensure you have a fire safe community. 

The meeting will begin with a Zoom where a private link to stream the film will be provided. After watching the film we will then come back to Zoom for the discussion and Q&A. Before the session, you will be asked to fill out survey about what you know about forest, fire and climate, and then after the session you will be provided another survey. The surveys will help inform the filmmakers on what you learned.