Joseph fire science students featured in Smithsonian exhibit
By Griffin Beach on Friday, July 24th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
JOSEPH — After being documented by a film crew last year, Joseph Charter School’s fire science class has hit the big screen as part of Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History exhibit.
“Into the Fire: How We Can Live With Wildfires” features the students practicing prescribed burning. The short film documents the rise of megafires and the techniques being used to prevent them.
A filming crew from Oregon State University originally captured the footage that drew the attention of the Smithsonian, who reached out Joseph Charter School with an opportunity to be a part of the documentary.
“It’s about spreading awareness,” said Issac Beachy, a student in the fire science class. “Most people think that fires just destroy stuff and it’s kind of a bad thing, but we have to rejuvenate our forests and it’s about getting people to see that.”
The short film also features the Northern Blues Restoration Partnership.
Fire science class instructor Olan Fulfer said he and several students have already visited the museum to see the exhibit in person. He is now working to raise money so more students can travel to Washington, D.C., to see it.
Fulfer added that a longer documentary using the footage is currently being worked on, which he hopes to screen at a local theater to support the fundraising efforts.
“I am so proud of the class for all of their hard work they have put in to have this opportunity and that they absolutely earned it,” said class instructor Olan Fulfer. “I really want them to be able to experience it in person.”
The video can be viewed here.
