The Big Burn | The Driest Summer | 1
Against The Odds
Wondery
4.7 • 7.2K Ratings
🗓️ 30 September 2025
⏱️ 46 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In the summer of 1910, a severe drought turned Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene National Forest into a tinderbox. Spot fires cropped up around the mining towns of Wallace and Avery and it was the job of forest rangers like Ed Pulaski to put them out. But when a massive windstorm swept through in August, those smaller fires converged into the largest megablaze in American history.
Order your copy of the new Against the Odds book, How to Survive Against the Odds: Tales & Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters, for stories of everyday people confronted by life-or-death situations, showing you how they survived—and how you can too. Learn more at SurvivalGuidebook.com.
Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter
Listen to Against The Odds on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting http://wondery.com/links/against-the-odds/ now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Against the Odds early and ad-free right now. |
| 0:05.6 | Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. |
| 0:09.6 | A listener note, Against the Odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events. |
| 0:14.6 | Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented, but everything is based on research. |
| 0:19.5 | This episode contains scenes that depict racist attitudes and language. |
| 0:23.5 | Please be advised. |
| 0:36.3 | Forest Ranger Bill Wigel tosses a saddle over his horse, then hoist himself up. |
| 0:42.3 | He dabbs his sweaty brow with a handkerchief, then snaps the reins, and his horse begins a slow trot through the dirt streets of Wallace, Idaho. |
| 0:52.3 | There's a strange crackling sensation in the hazy air today. |
| 0:56.5 | It's almost electric. |
| 0:58.5 | Like something is about to reach out and shock him. |
| 1:01.4 | Weigel doesn't like it. |
| 1:04.0 | After a block, he spots a deputy ranger. |
| 1:07.0 | Weigle pulls back on the reins to speak with him. |
| 1:09.7 | Hey, I'm going to get some eyes on that fire over the next ridge. |
| 1:12.6 | I'll be back in a couple of hours. |
| 1:14.6 | It's 5.30 p.m. on August 20th, 1910. |
| 1:19.6 | Weigel is Forest Supervisor at the Corde Lane National Forest in the Idaho Panhandle. |
| 1:25.6 | As far as Weigel is concerned, it's the most beautiful stretch |
| 1:29.8 | of land in the country. Rolling mountains of thick pine forest dotted with alpine lakes and lined |
| 1:36.8 | with crystal streams. But the region is experiencing the worst drought ever recorded here. |
| 1:43.1 | Hundreds of small fires have broken out in the forested |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.