Peshtigo: American Firestorm

Thomas Slough in Oconto, Wisconsin We want to take a moment to say how grateful we are to the Peshtigo Fire Museum for all of their help and support on this documentary project. We don't know what we would do without them. From the very beginning Museum Director Laura Marotz, Mary Jo Seidl and the rest of the Board have been incredible in providing us access to archival materials, visuals, art and resources; giving us guidance, sharing information, location and historical details; and helping us to fundraise for the project. Interviewing Peter Stark about the Samuel Thomas fishermen family of Oconto.  We just returned from filming footage and interviews in Oconto, Wisconsin for PESHTIGO: AMERICAN FIRESTORM. Our thanks to Oconto County Historical Society's Peter Stark and Peter Gabrielson for sitting down to talk with us about the impact of the deadly 1871 Peshtigo wildfire on Oconto and the other areas near Peshtigo. We are grateful to the OCHS for for allowing us to conduct ...

Tammy Rundle interviews artist Marvin Carl Marotz about his family connection to the Peshtigo fire. Emmy award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films were back in Peshtigo, Wisconsin to film interviews with descendants of several of the survivors of the deadly 1 871 wildfire. The firestorm claimed the lives of approximately 2,500 people and incinerated 1.2 million acres . It is considered the deadliest fire in American history. Peshtigo Historical Society's Mary Jo Seidl, Peshtigo Mayor Katie Berman and filmmakers Tammy and Kelly Rundle. Interviews were held at the Peshtigo Municipal Building thanks to the assistance of Peshtigo Mayor Katie Berman. "We are very grateful to Mayor Berman for arranging a quiet space in the building in which to conduct these important interviews," said producer Tammy Rundle. "It was truly a pleasure to meet her and we appreciated her kind support of our work on the film project." Tammy and Kelly Rundle with ...

It was a beautiful celebration of a man that will be deeply missed by so many. We joined a full auditorium of family, friends, fans and associates in Wild Rose, Wisconsin on May 9th to remember Wisconsin historian and celebrated writer Jerry Apps . From the family memories shared by his children and colleagues, Jerry's favorite polka music played by the Wild Rose Community Band with a rousing rendition of "On Wisconsin" to bring the house down, to a special Wisconsin PBS Tribute video, all of us present were wrapped in the warmth of a life well-lived. We ended our time in Jerry's hometown of Wild Rose visiting the Jerry Apps Reading Room at the local library where a reception was held. Jerry Apps during his interview for Fourth Wall Films' "Peshtigo: American Firestorm". We were very fortunate to have Jerry involved in two of our Fourth Wall Films ' documentary films, our Emmy-nominated " Country School: One Room - One Nation " and our aw...

Emmy award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will return to Peshtigo, Wisconsin in late May to conduct several more interviews for their new documentary PESHTIGO: American Firestorm. The documentary combines vintage photos, artists renderings, limited re-enactments and archival materials with eye-witness accounts and perspectives from present-day historians, conservationists, wildfire experts, scholars and survivor ancestors to tell the dramatic story of America’s deadliest firestorm.  PESHTIGO is funded in part by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as generous supporters of the project. The documentary is slated for a "Sneak Preview" in October 2026 . Check back for more details. Add your name to the film's credits! You can make a tax-deductible contribution for $100 or more via our Fiscal Sponsor, the Peshtigo Historical Society. Visit their website here:  Peshtigo Historic...

  Jerry Apps during his interview for "Peshtigo: American Firestorm. " Like so many, we are heartbroken to learn of the passing of aut hor, Wisconsin historian and friend Jerry Apps. We were so very fortunate to know him and to have worked with him on three documentary projects, including most recently on "Peshtigo: American Firestorm". Jerry was and always will be one of those special people who had a major positive impact on our lives. We cannot imagine a world without him. Our deepest sympathy to his beloved family, and to all who loved him. He was an amazing man and he will live on and on in our hearts. We include a video link to one of Jerry Apps' iconic moments in Fourth Wall Films' award-winning "The Barn Raisers": Never Curse the Rain. Below is Jerry's Obituary. Jerold Willard Apps July 25, 1934 — December 23, 2025 Madison Jerold W. Apps Ph.D., 91, peacefully passed away at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg after a short illness. He was st...

October 8th, 2025 marked the 154th anniversary of the great Peshtigo, Wisconsin fire. The Peshtigo Historical Society presented its annual memorial commemorating the tragedy and honoring the victims and those who survived. The 1871 October firestorm incinerated 1.2 million acres and killed approximately 2,500 people. It is considered the deadliest fire in American history. Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films filmed the commemoration and the candlelight vigil for their documentary PESHTIGO: American Firestorm . They also filmed the mass grave at Peshtigo Fire Cemetery, and Harmony Cemetery and Mays Corners Cemetery where other victims of the fire are buried. “PESHTIGO: American Firestorm” (working title) will combine vintage photos, artists renderings, limited re-enactments and archival materials with eye-witness accounts and perspectives from present-day historians and scholars, including Jerry Apps, PhD, the author of “When the White Pine was King”, and conservationists to tel...