Ashes from Ashes

When wildfires strike, the cremated remains of loved ones are often left behind in the rush to evacuate. After the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County, archaeologists and forensic canine teams found a way to recover cremains from the wreckage of destroyed homes. With support from a California Humanities grant, the ASC completed an oral history project that documented these recovery efforts. Interviews with archaeologists, forensic dog handlers, and impacted families have been woven into a short film about these volunteer efforts and their powerful effects.

Please get in touch with Dana Shew if you would like more information on this important documentary.