On PBS: “The Big Burn” — the fires of 1910

The PBS television network is scheduled to air a program on February 3 about the fires of 1910 that changed wildland fire management for the next 100 years. The program is part of the American Experience series, and this episode is named “The Fire That Changed Everything — The Big Burn”. It is based on Timothy Egan’s best-selling book, “The Big Burn”.

When we first reported on this program there was much confusion about when it would air, with most of  the erroneous information coming from the PBS website. So, we can’t be certain it will air as advertised. However, this time it is showing up in my DirecTV program guide at 7 p.m. MST on February 3 — which is a good sign.

Set your DVRs.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

6 thoughts on “On PBS: “The Big Burn” — the fires of 1910”

    1. Your right Pat. The historical record indicates Mr. Ed Pulaski first introduced the Pulaski tool in 1911.

      To be fair (and speculate) Ed may have had the concept and possibly even pounded out some early prototypes before the Fires of 1910. This would not surprise me but, as far as I know, it is not recorded.

      I’m not endorsing this website or it’s accuracy but here is an interesting piece from outside of the fire service:
      http://polishsite.us/index.php/history-and-people/people-in-history/360–edward-pulaski-heroic-firefighter-and-inventor.html

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  1. Looks like 8:00 pm in Albuquerque, and may be different in other time zones or PBS stations. Still 3 Feb., at least for us.

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  2. The image being fronted for this “documentary” is a person (in what appears to be a felt hat) swinging a Pulaski tool. The Pulaski did not exist in 1910. Perhaps the full context will provide an explanation…

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