Camp Fire

Camp Fire – Butte County 2018

In 2018, the Camp Fire devastated Paradise and much of Butte County. It remains the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history: entire neighborhoods were erased in hours, critical infrastructure collapsed, and thousands of families were left without homes, belongings, or any clear path forward.

During that period, I spent nearly a month working inside restricted zones, places where people were still barred from returning because of structural instability, toxic debris, and ongoing safety hazards. We collaborated closely with FEMA, local fire departments, including a chief fire inspector, and the police chief inspector. We were privileged, if that word can even be used in circumstances like these, to document the sheer scale of destruction and acknowledge the victims: the charred grid that used to be streets, the absence of familiar landmarks, and the systemic challenges that emergency crews faced. The fire didn’t just destroy buildings, it devoured hopes and dreams.

The human toll was profound. Many survivors lost far more than property. Yet, amid the devastation, we met people who refused to give up. Their resilience, persisting through logistical chaos, health dangers, and bureaucratic uncertainty, became a powerful counterpoint to the loss and a personal source of inspiration for their neighbors, for first responders, and for us.

What is a documentary, really? Is it simply a structure built around contrasts, a community pushed to its breaking point and individuals determined to rebuild their homes, routines, and sense of identity from the ground up? I think it is more than a factual record; it is a living, unpredictable entity. Sometimes it emerges from careful planning, sometimes from chaos. Sometimes it is built on a clear concept; other times it evolves organically, weaving together ideas and stories you never anticipated. Regardless, documentary filmmaking demands openness: you must expect the unexpected, be ready to adapt, and allow the narrative to intertwine with reality as it unfolds.

The human and non-human connections, the curiosity, struggle, and the emotional truths embedded in the images, if they can be achieved, are some of the elements that drive these stories forward, stories that “Nos dejan huella” leave a mark on us, both as filmmakers and as viewers.