3 minute read
New Song - Fighting the Fire
A songwriter’s tribute to those in the centre of the smoke (Lyrics below)
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Powell River singer songwriter Devon Hanley’s son James is now in his fourth wildfire season with BC Wildfire Service. “More specifically, I wonder where and when will he be parachuting into his next fire,” says Devon. Her son joined the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) parattack unit this spring and is based in Mackenzie BC. Parattack crews are used to fight difficult-to-reach fires in the backcountry.
“I miss him during the long fire season, but I am proud of the work he does,” says Devon.
Inspired by the fascinating stories James has to tell about his work, last summer a song started to take shape. She explains that the song Fighting the Fire started out like a letter from a mother to a son but she soon realized that it had meaning for the families and friends of wildfire fighters, and the communities they serve.
As this spring’s fire season heated up Devon started to think about recording the song and creating a music video to accompany it so she could reach out to the communities affected by fires.
“I am hoping the song will be widely shared online and receive some radio coverage too,” says Devon. “BCWS has supported my project by providing me with some photography and videos of BC Wildfire crews in action. I want to build empathy and respect for the young men and women who do this demanding and dangerous work.”
James found out about BC Wildfire Service’s intern program while in Grade 12 at Brooks Secondary School and, in 2016, took advantage of the training offered before being hired to work at the local base as a member of the Initial Attack Crew. That summer, they fought a fire on Redonda Island in Desolation Sound, and another on Nelson Island. It was enough to ignite James’ passion for wildfire work.
“He’s a team player and loves sports. I think all those years of hockey and his strong circle of friends have played a part in making James well-suited to wildfire fighting.”
“We love hearing the stories of fighting floods, and then fighting the fires,” says James’s father, Rob Southcott. “I did some fire-watch work when I was young, but this is so much more intense. James’ stories literally have our jaws on the table!”
This April, James headed to Fort St. John for five weeks of parattack training, and likely won’t make it home until the fall. “When I sang Fighting The Fire this past May at the Lund Seafood Festival a woman in the crowd rushed up to me and said ‘My son is fighting wildfires, too,’ and I could tell the song had meaning for her – that’s a great feeling for a songwriter!”
Singer/songwriter Devon Hanley.
Photo by James Southcott
Fighting the Fire - Lyrics and music by Devon Hanley
I keep the table set for two I keep it set for me and you I keep the lights down low at night So you can find your way alright
I search the sky for signs of rain But there ain’t a cloud in the sky today Spring is feeling like summer again Hot as hell and it’s only May
I hear the flames are burning high Burning ‘round you day and night I say a prayer for everyone Fighting the fire
You sleep in tents out in open fields Work dawn to dusk and its work you can feel On a mountainside 60 pounds on your back You’re breathing smoke and eating ash
I hear the flames are burning high Burning ‘round you day and night I say a prayer for everyone Fighting the fire
Sit with my coffee and think of you Try to imagine the work that you do What do you hear – chainsaws and planes? The sound of a mountain going up in flames?
I hear the flames are burning high Burning ‘round you day and night I say a prayer for everyone Fighting the fire
FIND FIGHTING THE FIRE
The song and music video, Fighting the Fire, was recorded in Powell River and can be found on Devon’s website devonhanley.ca, and at www.facebook.com/DevonHanleymusican/
