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 JUST discovered the WILDFIRE series on NETFLIX
Downloaded every season & when not available to download – I got every disk sent me.
REALLY HOPE they CONTINUE with this series!!!
I am 63 years old and I LOVE it – NOT just for teenagers.
Hello to all the fans Vildfire, I would like to emphasize that this is the best series that, unlike many series that appear very encouraging and promoting family values, friendship and faith to be worth fighting for your dreams and what we believe. This series premiered in my country about two years ago and then be re-run, I have not missed a single episode, but I was very saddened when they decided not to continue recording, because this series has the potential at least for several more seasons. Because it would be interesting to see how they continue their lives,… Read more »
I love wildfire. I just found it on netflix and once I started I couldn’t stop watching. Even though it had a happy ending I think there should be some sort of comeback. It would be nice to see how everything ended up with all the love and friendship realationships. Where did everybody end up going and doing with there lives. Please help all of us wildfire fans even the ones who didn’t here about the show until it was gone from the air. It would really mean alot to all of us to see more wilfire. Always with a… Read more »
WHERE DO YOU GET THE COMPLETE 4 SEASONS PF NETFLIX?
@LOU BREWER: It is available for streaming on Netflix. The DVds haven’t been released yet.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ANY VHS TAPE ON SEASON FOUR. AND IF ANY OF YOUR VIEWER KNOW OF IT FOR SALE.
I LOVE WILDFIRE! The show is absolutely amazing! I wish soooo badly that it can continue. There are so many shows that are bad influences on kids and even adults. I hate how there are stupid shows that teach kids and all people dirty unmeaningful wrong things that stay on the air and then a show like Wilfire thats positive and meaningful can’t continue. Theres got to be a way
what happened to season 4 and 5 to be bought i want them!!!
Please bring Wildfire back. I know it may not have the same actors, but it possibly could, like them being older and their kids being the focus now. Anyways PLEASE consider bring it back. Now maybe the perfect time with all the awareness of horses now. With the attention of horses and them going to slaughter it may bring in a following. You could make sure the when the horses are retired that they are sent to homes instead of auctions and such. I could get lots and lots of people to watch I have hundreds of horse friends on… Read more »
I really wish this show was still on I miss it
Please oh Please bring this show back! I know that it has been quite a few years since it was on but I love the show and now having just re-watched all the Episodes on Netflix makes me want the show to come back even more! Please give the show another chance and the characters this is one of the greatest shows I have seen in long time and show that is family worthy which in this day and age is very hard to find. Please say there is a chance that the show can make a come back even… Read more »
i like -im love in junior
I know its been a few years since the show has been on but I would like to say that I love the show and wish it would come back on!!!!
I never missed a show. I love Wildfire, it has some really good life lessons that we as people need back in our lifes. I know I sure do. Watching what Kris went through, made me look at myself and what I was doing in my life. After watching Wildfire session 1, I began thinking. I finally figured out what I wanted to do. The show has brought such great things into my life, that I have now started a horse program for teens. I work with 4 teens, and teaching them and having them work with horses is a… Read more »
please bring wildfire back that was my favorite show to watch and i always looked forward to seeing the next series, it always seemed to short of a series and the year you canceled i wasent able to wacth due to leaving for military. Hearing that wildfire was canceled has made me sad pleae bring it back
when i watch wildfire when i was a freshman, lets just say when i looked at kris , i saw myself, and it gave me hope that life could be better , in away i wish this show would come back because there are prob. other young kids that need to see there are tough times but the is good that can come out of anything that uput ur heart and soul in… i miss this show , im glad its on netflix because re watching the series made me want to shoot for the stars (thank u)