Saving the historic Breitenbush Hot Springs from a megafire | Oregon Experience & Oregon Field Guide

Breitenbush, located 20 minutes northeast from Detroit, Oregon in the Cascade Range, has more than 30 geothermal springs dotting the banks of the Breitenbush River and a complex of over 100 buildings—many built in the 1920s.

When the evacuation notices began on September 6, 2020 during the Labor Day fires, Breitenbush Fire Chief Jordan Pollack was some 300 miles away in Port Townsend, Washington, coordinating efforts as the off-land manager of his fire department.

By the next day, he and his small firefighting crew would be the last line of defense against a megafire that was threatening to wipe the historic resort off the map.

Jordan Pollack, Daniel Dundon, Tim McDevitt, Neil Clasen and Erik Wennstrom worked relentlessly for 48 hours in the midst of gale-force winds—and lived to tell the tale. Also featuring an interview with Breitenbush's Business Director and Deputy Fire Chief Peter Moore.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro—How Breitenbush Hot Springs resort nearly burned down in 2020
01:08 The history of Breitenbush Hot Springs
03:15 Jordan Pollack: off-land Breitenbush fire chief in San Juan Island
04:20 Remembering the destructiveness of the 2020 Oregon Labor Day fires
04:48 Breitenbush Hot Springs trapped between Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires
05:06 The road to Breitenbush was obstructed by downed trees
05:30 More fire than expected upon arrival at Breitenbush Hot Springs
06:07 Fighting fire at Breitenbush meant working in gale-force winds, using hoses and sprinklers
07:07 Breitenbush Hot Springs lost 73 buildings, but the firefighters saved 75
07:50 Jordan Pollack today trains brigades like the Breitenbush Fire Department in places like San Juan Island
08:50 Coda—Grand Canyon Lodge burned down
09:01 Credits
For more stories like this visit OPB online at https://opb.org
---
Oregon Public Broadcasting aims to elevate and amplify the community, connect Oregon and its neighbors, and illuminate a wider world through stories. OPB Every Day. OPB Everywhere.

One way to support OPB and the work of public media is to subscribe to our channel for new OPB videos every month: https://www.youtube.com/opb?sub_confi...

Member support makes all the videos on the OPB YouTube channel possible, and everything else you love. Ensure the next important story is covered and join in as a Sustainer now at https://give.opb.org/opb/?s=OAMEGNS22...

#OregonExperience #OregonLaborDayFire #OregonWildfires #LaborDay2020 #FireSafety #WildfireAwareness #OregonNews #EmergencyResponse #CommunitySupport #FirePrevention #Breitenbush #HotSprings #HealingWaters #Mindfulness #OregonDocumentary #Oregon #PNW #OPB