Peshtigo: American Firestorm

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...

Production continued in Woodruff, Wisconsin for an on-camera interview with DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele for Fourth Wall Films ' new documentary Peshtigo: American Firestorm .  "We are very grateful to Catherine for taking time out of her schedule to talk with us about the Peshtigo tragedy, and wildfire prevention then and today," said Fourth Wall Films producer Tammy Rundle.  “Ninety-eight percent of our fires are caused by people; therefore, they can be prevented, Koele said during her interview. "That is the key message we want to get out to the public."  The Rundles have been in production on the film project since March, and will return to Peshtigo on October 8, 2026 to film the annual commemoration of the fire and memorial for the victims.  Koele mentioned that National Fire Prevention week is held each year in October.  "In large part that is because of the fires in the Great Lake states, including Peshtigo."   “Pesht...

Emmy® Award winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films returned to Peshtigo, Wisconsin July 8-11 th  2025  to film interviews for their new documentary   Peshtigo: American Firestorm .  The Peshtigo Wildfire broke out on October 8, 1871, the same day as the “Great” Chicago fire. Months of drought, smoldering logging fires, and a regional windstorm produced what witnesses described as a tornado made of fire. The fire burned 1.2 million acres and killed an estimated 1,500-2,500 people. The Peshtigo fire, not the Chicago fire, would prove to be the largest and most deadly fire in American history. The husband and wife Fourth Wall Films team have been coordinating work on the project with the  Peshtigo Historical Society , and they met with members of the group during their visit to share an update on the film’s progress. Completion of the documentary is planned for the fall of 2026. "We are so grateful to this amazing group of people for all of ...