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! 
Hi, my name is Skylar. i have been watching wildfire seince its been on it aried in 05′. its my ALLTIME fav. show. when i first watched previews for it to first air i freaked i was hooked from then on out. i love horses and its 100% inposable for ABC Family to make another show as amazong and down to earth and incredable as Wildfire! the concept of the whole show is FANTASTIC! what other show do u kno that takes a troubled teenage girl puts her in a horse farm and then she take her life and turn… Read more »
I love wildfire. This sucks every time there is a good show it gets canceled. I love everything about it. I’m 16 and it teaches me about life. PLEASE bring wildfire back for a fifth season. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wildfire caught my attention in the middle of the second season when I saw Kieren Huchson (I hope I spelled his name correctly) on the screen. Because I liked him in One Tree Hills. That was the beginning of my obsession ( I call it obsession because I watch Season I&II DVDs over and over) with this show — ever since, I had never missed episodes until the end. I loved the story line, characters, and especially the sound track — there are so many beautiful music by young and upcoming artists, and the way the music was incorporated into… Read more »
I love with show… you can’t cancel it… why does ever show there is amazing get cancelled!!! Please bring Wildfire back…. please please please
BEST SHOW EVER and it is still on in ireland but not on abc.On RTE TWO……….
HA HA YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am really disappointed in ABC Family!!!! They are completely ignoring their viewers. Wildfire was a fantastic show, my whole family loved it. I hope they do not think they can replace this show with things like that Americas Prom Queen, which was very lame or this new show called The Middle Man, sorry, but it looks kind of stupid. Wildfire had heart and it was unique. I truly hope that ABC Family’s ratings take a nose dive, maybe then they will see what a huge mistake they are making!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I will not be watching this station any… Read more »
What a shame that a unique show without filth and gore fell along the wayside. I have watched faithfully since the very beginning episode and record it ALWAYS so I don’t miss an episode. Wildfire touched so many honest and real life situations and emotions – it was a rare gem people can truly relate to and it was a feel good series,
and I can’t believe you are taking it off! It was a nice way to end hectic Mondays. What a loss!
omg i cant belive that you canceled wildfire i am so upset !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i thought finaly their isnt 1 of those stupid shows always bout d same thing but finally somethin’ origial , plus i could think of milliomns of thing they could use as episodes like kris’ mom & dad and brother and wat bout gene and pablo u never saw wat happened wit them and dani im so mad !!!!!!!!!!!! ACHHHHHHH !!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BRING Back the show !!!!!!!!!! I BET IF U DO MORE PEOPLE WILL START WATCHIN WE LOVE IT PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!! 4 SEASONS IS… Read more »
my name is shannon and i watched the season finale of wildfire about a week ago when it aired. I watched it at both times. I thought it was fabulous. In the last ten minutes or so when the music started, i started to get sad casue i knew that this COULD be the last wildfire ever. I thought the ending was perfect, it was the perfect ending, but also the perfect begining. The music said here comes the rest of our lives, well know we want to see it. We have been waiting since the begining for junior and… Read more »
Please bring wildfire back….please,please, please.
I really like this show it has got me interested is going into horse racing… Please bring it back!!!!
Adrianne »
It’s currently available on http://abcfamily.go.com
I am disappointed that Wildfire is cancelled. I would like to know if you have the last show May 26th so I could see what happened. I missed the show and really want to know what happened.
If there is anyway that the show can come back it would be great.
Please help me so I can see the final episode.
This is so sad, I love this show!
I can’t believe you are doing this. If Wildfire was a program filled with killing, drugs & drinking you woulld leave the show on. What has happened to our world today? You finally come up with a wonderful family program that everyone can enjoy & you cancel it. My whole family would sent down & watch Wildfire, even my husband who can’t sit still long enough to watch tv. What about Jenn & Pablo, Matt & Dani , Kris & Junior’s life after marriage. What about Wildfire? Please don’t take Wildfire off. Please find a place for Wildfire.