No other forest fire has been as influential in Oregon culture or the history of a community. The Tillamook Burn, a forest fire of gigantic proportions, exploded on August 14, 1933. While statewide support helped replant the forest, little was done to support a community whose livelihood was largely based on logging or to stop erosion and silt from destroying one of the finest deep water bays in the country. Seven decades later, the effects of The Tillamook Burn are still felt.
“The Tillamook Burn” documentary was inspired by the 70th Anniversary of the Tillamook Burn. Having grown up on the Oregon coast, Windy Borman knew a different side of the story about the famed Tillamook Burn. She produced, directed, researched and wrote this documentary in 2003 in association with the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.