Watch American Experience: The Big Burn

American Experience: The Big Burn is a documentary film from 2015 that takes a look at one of the most catastrophic wildfires in American history. The film is directed by Stephen Ives and was released to critical acclaim, featuring interviews with experts and historians, recreations of the events that took place, and historical footage.

The Big Burn refers to the wildfire that took place in 1910 in the Pacific Northwest, which burned over three million acres of forest and killed 87 people. The documentary examines the conditions that led up to the fire, the aftermath, and the efforts to prevent future wildfires.

The film introduces us to the key players involved in the fire, including U.S. Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot and Chief of Operations William B. Greeley, as well as several of the rangers tasked with fighting the fire. We are also introduced to a number of residents in the affected areas who witnessed the disaster firsthand.

The documentary begins by examining the strategies used by the U.S. Forest Service in the early 1900s to prevent wildfires, which primarily involved removing brush and small trees. However, after years of fire suppression, the forests had become overgrown and highly susceptible to wildfires. These forests also suffered from poor management, which led to a buildup of highly flammable underbrush.

The Big Burn itself was caused by a combination of extremely dry weather and an unexpected cold front, which caused high winds to pick up unexpectedly. The fire quickly spread and soon became an unstoppable force, with flames reaching up to 200 feet in height.

The documentary uses recreations and historical footage to vividly portray the devastation wrought by the Big Burn. We see entire towns engulfed in flames and desperate attempts by rangers to flee the fire. The film also examines the impact that the fire had on the environment, as well as the psychological toll it took on those who experienced it.

After the fire was finally extinguished, the U.S. Forest Service began to reassess its policies and protocols. The documentary explores the changes that were implemented, including allowing some naturally occurring fires to burn and the adoption of a new approach to forest management.

American Experience: The Big Burn is a fascinating and informative documentary that sheds light on a little-known event in American history. Through interviews with experts and historians, as well as recreations and historical footage, the film brings to life the devastation of the fire and the efforts to prevent future wildfires. The documentary is a testament to the power of nature and the resilience of those who experienced this tragedy.

American Experience: The Big Burn is a 2014 history movie with a runtime of 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.