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American Experience

"Hire Everybody You Can Find"

In 1910 the U.S. Forest Service was desperately understaffed. Premieres Feb. 3 on PBS.

Aired 02/03/2015 | Rating NR

American Experience

"Hire Everybody You Can Find"

Clip: Season 27 Episode 4 | 1m 45s

In 1910 the U.S. Forest Service was desperately understaffed. Premieres Feb. 3 on PBS.

In the summer of 1910, the Forest Service had less than 500 rangers nationwide. With hundreds of fires already burning, the organization set out to hire more men; in some instances, they even let out felons from local jails to help battle the blazes. "The Big Burn" premieres February 3 on PBS American Experience

Aired 02/03/2015 | Rating NR

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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Liberty Mutual InsuranceCarlisle

The Big Burn Preview

In 1910 the largest fire in U.S. history burned over 3 million acres. Premiering Feb 3. (30s)

America's Timber

In the early 1900s, timber was an essential US product. Premieres Feb. 3 on PBS (2m 58s)

The Big Burn, Chapter 1

Video has Closed Captions

In 1910 the largest fire in U.S. history burned over three million acres. (7m 59s)

Fire as the Enemy

Fire was essential to the survival of the new US Forest Service. Premieres Feb. 3 on PBS. (2m 54s)

Gifford Pinchot's Vision

Roosevelt and Pinchot make a plan to save America's wilderness. Premieres Feb. 3 on PBS. (2m 35s)

The Heroes of the Big Burn

Firefighters are regaled as heroes for the first time in America. Premieres Feb. 3 on PBS. (2m 19s)

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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