Key Facts
The series finale of M*A*S*H remains one of television's most celebrated episodes. But its creation was marked by an unexpected disaster: a real forest fire that destroyed the show's set in Malibu. The cast and crew had only minutes to evacuate as flames consumed the Fox Ranch location.
Details of the Fire
On the day of filming, a wildfire swept through the area. Kellye Nakahara, who played Nurse Kellye, recalled: "When we were done, we ran to the vans, jeeps, and trucks, and bugged out. The fire came down and wiped out the entire set within 10 minutes." Alan Alda described the aftermath: "All these buildings ... all that was left was little puddles of aluminum on the ground."
Impact on Production
The fire forced the crew to rebuild the set and even spray-paint the surrounding hills green to match previous scenes. Despite the setback, the writers decided to incorporate the fire into the storyline, adding a layer of realism to the 4077th's final days. Executive producer Burt Metcalfe noted: "There were just so many elements to tie together, so many people to say goodbye to, and so many stories we wanted to tell." The episode expanded from two to two-and-a-half hours after CBS agreed to the longer runtime.
What Readers Should Know
- The finale aired on February 28, 1983, and drew an estimated 106 million viewers.
- It remains the most-watched non-Super Bowl television program in history.
- The fire scenes were shot on the actual burned set, giving the episode an unmatched authenticity.
FAQ
Did a real fire destroy the M*A*S*H set during the finale?
Yes, a forest fire burned down the exterior set in Malibu while filming the series finale.
How did the M*A*S*H writers handle the fire?
They wrote the fire into the episode, using the real destruction to add authenticity to the finale.
How many people watched the M*A*S*H finale?
Approximately 106 million viewers tuned in, making it the most-watched non-Super Bowl TV program at the time.