After four seasons on ABC Family, teen drama Wildfire ends tonight. Devoted fans are understandably upset. So, why is it leaving?
Wildfire debuted back on June 25, 2005 and revolves around the world of horse racing. The series began with teen Kristine “Kris” Furillo (Genevieve Cortese) coming to the Raintree Farm from a juvenile detention center.
Season one averaged just over a million weekly viewers and season two increased to 1.56 million, an increase of over 50%. Unfortunately, season three dropped back to the first year’s numbers. Season four debuted in January. Soonafter, ABC Family announced that Wildfire had been cancelled.
Fans have petitioned ABC Family to continue the series. The folks at SaveWildfire.com have sent truckloads of hay, 500 cast iron horseshoes, apples, rope, and 1,000 pounds of carrots. Unfortunately, it’s higher ratings and additional viewers that the show really needs. As CBS learned from Jericho, a passionate campaign doesn’t necessarily mean that viewers will tune in.
ABC Family’s media relations manager, Amy Maloney, told the Albuquerque Journal that the fan support doesn’t come as much of a surprise. She said, “It is par for the course, in a sense that we’ve always known there is a strong fan base for the show… It’s flattering. It’s exciting.” In other words, Wildfire has a core audience but it’s not big enough for ABC Family.
Word is that Lionsgate, the company that produces the series, is looking for a new home for Wildfire. If the series is renewed, producer Lester Berman the cast and crew are ready. He says, “We’re saving a lot of the set dressing and the uniforms. We’re putting it in storage just in case there’s a miracle that [Wildfire] comes back.”
When the cast and crew wrapped their filming in June 2007, they were unsure if they would be back for season five. A few months ago, Cortese spoke proudly of Wildfire and the season four closer. She said, “I think we have one of the best casts and crews in television… On the other hand, we also end (this season) on a really cool note. I’d be glad to go back and get to work again with people I love, but if not, at least I’ll know we did a great job.” Stay tuned! 
I was a devoted follower of Wildfire. I watched the show every week and when it was time for the new season premier and they would show all of the prior seasons of Wildfire, would set down with my daughter and we would watch every single episode again. Please bring Wildfire back to TV. We miss it very much and are faithfully waiting for a season 5 premier to air on television.
I love Wildfire, that was one of my favorite shows to watch on television. One of the few that i’d watch every week of the season. I hope it comes back because nothing can compare to it. It brought me, mom and my sister together. I was so upset when i heard they were canceling it…PLEASE bring Wildfire back!
I loved watch it to, Yes please bring back Wildfire.
I loved Wildfire!! When it came out, my grandpa and I would watch it every week. I dont see my grandpa very often and those nights were very special to me. When Season Two came out, my grandpa and I would be on the phones talking while watching the show. We were hooked. When I heard Season Four was the final season, I couldnt stop crying. I know it might sound silly or weird, but that show has alot of good memories for me about my Grandpa. In fact, my grandpa was the one who taught me how to ride… Read more »
Bring Wildfire back! We have missed it and it would be a great series beside pretty little liars! Pleasee
please bring back wild fire:( i loved that show.
i loved seeing wildfire it was one of my favorite shows to watch i would not miss one of there episodes i was in high school when i stared seeing it i was upset when they did not put back the show i wish they bring it back on to abcfamily.
I agree! Wildfire is a GREAT show!!! What must we do, who must we petition to get this show back on the air? Even if it’s not with ABC there must be someway to get it going so we can enjoy season 5. I mean at least season 4 ended well, but dang there so much that could happen now. How many people would have to “tune in” to keep it running? There’s so many shows on the air now that no one watches, which makes a person wonder, what’s the real reason Wildfire was canceled after only 4 seasons?
Whats funny is how they still have Sabrina the Teenage Witch on ABC Family.. No one watches that.
OMG… Im so hooked.. My friend introduced me to Wildfire a few weeks ago and Ive been hooked… I really want to see Season 5…. We need to get everyone to vote and campaign for it to come back!!
I love this show. I have watched all four seasons on Netflix. Wish the show would have continued.
I have been looking for years for Wildfire season 4. Is it available anywhere? I have the other 3 seasons and I hate to have an incomplete set! If it’s available please let me know. I really enjoyed this show.
Thanks.
I Absolutly am one of the biggest fans of Wildfire out there; the first time i set my sights on this show was my first semester of College, infact the day i moved into the dorms… being a horse phanatic i imediatly sat down in my box filled dorm room and watched the very first episode from start to finish! Thats all it took to get me hooked; since that day Wildfire became a tradition for me and my college friends, we would order pizza and wings and sit down to watch our favorite show!! I was sooo Beyond Dissapointed… Read more »
I really miss wildfire I sure liked it I wish it will come back on ABC it’s something my dad and I enjoyed watching together
I really love Wildfire! I faithfully watched the series every week and was very upset when it was taken off air. I currently own the first three seasons and am looking hard for the fourth season. I really wish that the show would come back! It was a good honest show the whole family could watch. We need more of those shows on TV!!!!!