Against The Odds The Big Burn | The Driest Summer | 1
Sep 30, 2025
In the summer of 1910, a severe drought turns Idaho's forests into a blazing inferno. Forest rangers like Ed Pulaski confront escalating fires and the threat of gunpowder explosions. Immigrants seek firefighting jobs, while tensions rise between locals and Buffalo Soldiers. As danger looms, rangers scramble to warn towns and organize evacuations. Packed with gripping accounts of heroism and survival, this tale uncovers the chaos of the largest megablaze in American history.
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Lookout Sees The Fire Approaching Fast
- Forest Supervisor Bill Weigel spots a merged wall of fire advancing toward Wallace and realizes the town may have only hours to evacuate.
- He runs back to warn the town after seeing the fire four miles away and fearing people will be devoured by flames.
Drought Plus Sparks Created A Megablaze
- A summer drought and human sparks turned hundreds of small fires into a single megablaze when high winds arrived.
- Negligent miners, trains, and lightning created spot fires that merged under a massive windstorm.
Pulaski Spots The Monster Fire
- Ranger Ed Pulaski discovers a massive fire front forming from many spot fires while scouting above the smoke line.
- He races back down the trail, realizing Wallace could be threatened far sooner than expected.
