The Wildfires of 1910

The Great Burn: A Landscape Ablaze

In the summer of 1910, a confluence of factors turned the forests of the Inland Northwest into a tinderbox. An unusually dry winter and spring gave way to a scorching summer, leaving vast stretches of timber parched and ready to ignite. Multiple small fires, many sparked by lightning and railroad activity, smoldered across the landscape. Then, on August 20th, gale-force winds whipped through the region, merging these smaller blazes into a monstrous, uncontrollable conflagration.   

The scale of the disaster was staggering. Over three million acres – an area roughly the size of Connecticut – went up in flames in a matter of days. The firestorm raged across parts of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana, leaving behind a desolate landscape of ash and charred timber. Entire towns were destroyed, and the air was thick with smoke that reportedly reached as far east as New York.   

The human cost was also significant. While the exact number remains debated, it's estimated that at least 85 people perished, many of them firefighters who bravely fought the seemingly insurmountable flames. Their stories of courage and sacrifice in the face of such overwhelming power became legendary.   

The Birth of Modern Wildfire Management

The Great Fires of 1910 served as a brutal wake-up call. The sheer scale and intensity of the devastation shocked the nation and fundamentally reshaped how the United States approached wildfire management. Prior to 1910, wildfire was often seen as an inevitable force of nature, something to be endured rather than actively fought. The prevailing attitude was largely one of containment rather than aggressive suppression.   

However, the 1910 fires demonstrated the catastrophic potential of unchecked wildfires. The loss of life, the destruction of communities, and the immense economic damage spurred a paradigm shift. The federal government, particularly the newly established U.S. Forest Service under the leadership of Gifford Pinchot, recognized the urgent need for a more proactive and organized approach to wildfire.   

One of the most immediate and significant outcomes of the 1910 fires was the adoption of a policy of aggressive wildfire suppression. The "10 a.m. policy," as it became known, aimed to extinguish all wildfires by 10 a.m. the day after they were reported. This policy, while well-intentioned, was based on the belief that all fire was inherently bad for forests and needed to be eliminated. It led to the development of a robust firefighting infrastructure, including the recruitment and training of dedicated firefighters, the establishment of fire lookouts, and the development of early detection and communication systems.   

The legacy of the 1910 fires also extended to the way we understand and manage our forests. The devastation highlighted the role of fuel accumulation in exacerbating wildfire intensity. Years of fire exclusion, often driven by livestock grazing and a lack of understanding of fire's natural role, had led to a buildup of dead wood and underbrush, creating the perfect conditions for the 1910 inferno. This realization gradually led to a greater appreciation for the complex ecological role of fire in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.   

Lingering Impacts Today

Over a century later, the Great Fires of 1910 continue to cast a long shadow, influencing our relationship with wildfire in numerous ways:

The Suppression Legacy: The aggressive suppression policies born out of the 1910 fires have had unintended consequences. While they were successful in extinguishing many fires, they also disrupted natural fire cycles in many ecosystems. This has led to an even greater accumulation of fuel in some areas, ironically increasing the risk of large, intense fires in the future. We are now grappling with the challenge of managing these fuel loads through methods like prescribed burning and mechanical thinning, a direct consequence of the suppression-focused approach initiated after 1910.   

The Firefighting Infrastructure: The legacy of the 1910 fires is evident in the sophisticated firefighting infrastructure we have today. The U.S. Forest Service and other agencies maintain large fleets of aircraft, ground crews, and equipment dedicated to wildfire suppression. The training and professionalism of modern firefighters can be traced back to the lessons learned from the tragic losses of 1910. The strategies and tactics used in wildfire management today are built upon the foundations laid in the aftermath of that catastrophic summer.   

Understanding Fire Ecology: While the initial response to the 1910 fires focused on suppression, our understanding of fire ecology has evolved significantly. Scientists now recognize that fire is a natural and necessary process in many ecosystems, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, and habitat creation. This shift in understanding, partly informed by the long-term effects of fire suppression in areas that burned in 1910, is leading to more nuanced and ecologically sound approaches to fire management, including the use of managed wildfire for resource benefit.   

Community Preparedness: The destruction of towns in 1910 underscored the vulnerability of communities located in fire-prone landscapes. Today, there is a greater emphasis on community preparedness and wildfire mitigation. Programs like Firewise USA encourage homeowners to take steps to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their properties. The lessons learned from the devastating impact on communities in 1910 continue to inform land-use planning and building codes in fire-prone areas.   

Climate Change Amplification: The dry conditions that contributed to the 1910 fires are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are creating longer and more intense wildfire seasons. The scale and intensity of wildfires we are witnessing today echo the conditions that led to the Great Burn, highlighting the ongoing relevance of the lessons learned in 1910. Understanding the historical context of extreme fire events like 1910 is crucial for preparing for and mitigating the impacts of future wildfires in a changing climate.   

Public Perception and Policy: The dramatic imagery and stories from the 1910 fires continue to shape public perception of wildfire. The idea of a raging, uncontrollable inferno remains a powerful image. This public perception, in turn, influences policy decisions and funding for wildfire management. The legacy of the "Big Blowup" contributes to the ongoing debate about the appropriate balance between wildfire suppression and other management strategies.   

Conclusion

The Great Fires of 1910 were a pivotal event in American history, leaving an indelible mark on our landscapes and our understanding of wildfire. The immediate response led to a century of aggressive fire suppression, which, while initially aimed at preventing similar disasters, has created new challenges. Today, we are grappling with the complex legacy of that era, striving to integrate ecological understanding with the need to protect communities and resources from the growing threat of wildfire in a changing climate. The lessons learned from the ashes of 1910 remain crucial as we navigate the increasingly fiery future of our forests.   

Bibliography

Pyne, Stephen J. Fire in America: A Cultural History of Wildland and Rural Fire. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982.   

Egan, Timothy. The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.   

Ganzel, Bill. "The Big Burn of 1910." Wessels Living History Farm. Accessed April 14, 2025. [Insert Actual URL Here if Found]

U.S. Forest Service. "10 AM Policy." National Interagency Fire Center. Accessed April 14, 2025. [Insert Actual URL Here if Found]

Montana Historical Society. "The Great Fire of 1910." Montana Historical Society. Accessed April 14, 2025. [Insert Actual URL Here if Found]

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. "The Great Burn of 1910." Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. Accessed April 14, 2025. [Insert Actual URL Here if Found]