“Fire is a part of where we live,
You have to learn how it works.”
— Rogue Valley Prescribed Burn Association Member
Burning To Heal
Working With Fire,
Renewing Community
A short documentary by Spring Fed Media
Film Synopsis
The Almeda Fire blew through Southern Oregon burning over 2,500 homes. Just three years later, a landowner, fire professionals, and community members are working to bring fire back to the land in a positive way. “Burning to Heal” is a short documentary examining our relationship with fire, and how that relationship could evolve into the future.
Fire is a part of where we live, but there is much more to learn. How do we keep the land healthy while still protecting our communities from fire? Can we have a positive relationship with fire after seeing how destructive it can be? How do we tackle the insurmountable workload needed to prepare for fires?
Follow the local Prescribed Burn Association as they lead a community-prescribed burn returning fire to the landscape with all of the benefits it brings, while also aiming to understand and work through the challenges surrounding fire.
film festivals
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Ashland Independent Film Festival
Friday, October 4th, 9 PM
Sunday, October 6th, 7 PMJoin us in Ashland Oregon, near where this story takes place, for the PREMIERE of the short documentary "Burning To Heal".
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Eugene Environmental Film Festival
Friday, October 18th, 5:30 PM
Join Michael Sherman and other filmmakers for 10 days of films and action in Eugene, Oregon. Friday the 18th will be focused on the topic of FIRE with a panel of experts and filmmakers.
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Colorado Environmental Film Festival
February 21st - 23rd, 2025
The 19th annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival will be showing “Burning To Heal” in Golden, Colorado. Films will be shown both in person and through streaming.
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More TO COME
"Burning To Heal" has been entered into many film festivals with more to come. We will keep you posted as we hear the selection results.
from the filmmaker
“Having grown up along the McKenzie River in Oregon, I have seen firsthand how the Labor Day Fires of 2020 impacted communities. When I heard about this story evolving with The Rogue Valley PBA in Southern Oregon after their fire in 2020, I was extremely passionate about learning more and wanting to share it with others.
With my background in wildland fire fighting, I have a strong relationship with fire but I realize many others do not. My goal with this film is to help everyone better understand the intricate role fire has on the landscape and also conceptualize what a positive future with fire could look like.“
-Michael Sherman
Contact us
Would you like to host a film showing?
Can we help tell your story about fire?
Let us know what you think!
