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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe F/V Wizard survived the fire shown at the start of Deadliest Catch Season 20. Tyler Gateman was rescued from below deck, the crew used the boat’s CO2 suppression system to extinguish the blaze, and the vessel continued fishing. By 2026, the Wizard was still active and appearing in Season 22.
What happened to the F/V Wizard?
The F/V Wizard was hit by a serious onboard fire at the beginning of Deadliest Catch Season 20, but the crab boat was not destroyed, abandoned, sold, or permanently retired. The crew rescued deckhand Tyler Gateman from below deck, used the vessel’s fixed carbon-dioxide suppression system to extinguish the fire, and continued operating the boat afterward.
Later Deadliest Catch appearances confirm that the Wizard survived the emergency. Discovery’s current programming for Season 22 includes Captain Keith Colburn and the vessel, while 2026 coverage places Colburn back aboard the Wizard for another crab-fishing season.
How the Season 20 fire unfolded
The incident most viewers associate with the question “What happened to the Wizard?” occurred in the opening episode of Season 20, which premiered in 2024. A fire began below deck while Tyler Gateman was in the affected area. The crew heard him calling for help and began searching for him as smoke and fire made the compartment dangerous.
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Captain Keith Colburn and the crew eventually located Gateman and pulled him out. They then activated the Wizard’s onboard CO2 fire-suppression system. The system displaced oxygen in the affected space and put out the blaze, allowing the crew to regain control of the emergency.
Available reporting says Gateman was not seriously injured. The emotional center of the episode was Colburn’s fear that he had nearly lost the son of his best friend, rather than the loss of the vessel itself.
Was the Wizard destroyed by the fire?
No. The available reporting describes a contained onboard fire and rescue, not a total loss. There is no reliable public information in the available coverage establishing that the boat suffered major structural damage, what specifically ignited the fire, or how much repairs cost.
It is therefore inaccurate to say that the Wizard “burned down” or was destroyed. The best-supported conclusion is that the vessel suffered a serious fire emergency, the crew extinguished it, and the boat returned to fishing.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhere is the Wizard now?
As of August 12, 2026, the Wizard remains an active crab-fishing vessel featured on Deadliest Catch. Discovery’s official Deadliest Catch page lists Season 22 episodes involving Keith and the Wizard. One episode description involves Keith luring Freddy to the vessel, and July 2026 coverage reported that Colburn was back aboard the boat for another crab-fishing season.
A separate Season 22 recap also covered an overboard emergency involving Wizard deckhand Lynn Guitard and identified Keith and Monte Colburn in connection with the vessel. That later storyline is separate from the Season 20 fire, but it further confirms that the Wizard continued appearing and operating after the earlier incident.
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The cautious wording is important: public coverage does not establish that the Wizard operates continuously throughout the year or that Keith personally captains every trip. Monte Colburn has also served as a relief captain. What the evidence does establish is that the boat survived the fire and remained active in the crab fishery and on the series.
The Wizard has had other emergencies on the show
The Season 20 fire is not the only dangerous incident associated with the vessel, which can make online summaries confusing.
- Season 20: The fire below deck involving Tyler Gateman. The crew rescued him and used the fixed CO2 system to extinguish the blaze.
- Season 19: Retrospective coverage discusses smoke and a fire-related emergency associated with a split brake line.
- An earlier storm episode: The Wizard also appeared in an episode involving a fire during severe weather.
Those events should not be combined into one disaster. In particular, the Season 20 incident was not a sinking, abandonment, sale, or retirement of the Wizard.
Who owns the F/V Wizard?
The Wizard is associated with Keith Colburn, who purchased the vessel after the fleet-reduction process that followed the introduction of individual fishing quotas. Discovery’s official biography says Colburn began working aboard the boat as a full-share deckhand in 1988, earned a U.S. Coast Guard license in 1990, and became captain two years later.
The precise purchase date is reported differently. Discovery’s biography places the purchase after the 2004 fishing-rights transaction, while other profiles describe the purchase as occurring in 2005. “The mid-2000s” is the safest way to summarize the timing without presenting a disputed year as certain.
The Wizard itself has an unusual history. It began as a vessel connected with the U.S. Navy and was later converted into a crabber. The official F/V Wizard site describes it as having eventually been sold to its longtime captain.
Where can you watch the Wizard fire episode?
Discovery continues to list Deadliest Catch among its programming. Max has also carried select Discovery programming, but availability can change by country, season, licensing window, and subscription tier. To find the Season 20 fire episode or current Season 22 episodes, check Discovery and Max’s current listings rather than assuming that every season is available in every market.
A related collectible for Deadliest Catch fans
Viewers looking for something connected to the franchise may come across the Deadliest Catch board game. The older 2010 Ideal boxed game lets players captain ships including the Wizard, Time Bandit, Northwestern, and Cornelia Marie. It is a fan collectible and tabletop game—not equipment used on the real fishing vessel—and marketplace stock, condition, and pricing should be checked before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
Did Keith Colburn’s Wizard sink?
No. The Wizard did not sink in the Season 20 incident. It experienced a below-deck fire, the crew rescued Tyler Gateman, and the fire was suppressed.
Was Tyler Gateman seriously injured?
Available coverage says Gateman was not seriously injured. The incident was still a major onboard emergency because he was in the area affected by the fire and had to be rescued.
What caused the Wizard fire?
The available reporting does not provide an authoritative public finding that confirms the ignition source for the Season 20 fire. Earlier Wizard incidents have been associated in coverage with different circumstances, including a split brake line and severe weather, but those should not be presented as the confirmed cause of the Season 20 blaze.
Is the Wizard still on Deadliest Catch?
Yes. Discovery’s Season 22 programming and 2026 coverage continue to identify the Wizard and the Colburns as part of the series.
Does Keith Colburn captain every Wizard trip?
Not necessarily. Keith is the vessel’s principal on-screen captain, but Monte Colburn has also served as a relief captain. Public coverage does not establish the boat’s exact schedule or captain for every trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Keith Colburn’s Wizard sink?
No. The Wizard experienced a serious below-deck fire, but it was not sunk or destroyed. The crew rescued Tyler Gateman and extinguished the fire with the vessel’s fixed CO2 system.
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Was Tyler Gateman seriously injured?
Available coverage says Gateman was not seriously injured, although he was in the affected area and had to be rescued during the fire.
What caused the Wizard fire?
No confirmed public investigation or authoritative report in the available coverage identifies the ignition source for the Season 20 fire.
Is the Wizard still on Deadliest Catch?
Yes. Discovery’s Season 22 programming and 2026 coverage continue to feature the Wizard and the Colburns.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The Wizard survived the Season 20 fire. Tyler Gateman was rescued, the crew extinguished the blaze with the vessel’s CO2 system, and the boat continued fishing. Its Season 22 appearances and 2026 coverage show that it remained active rather than being destroyed or retired.
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