
Prairie Fire Masthead

Every third Thursday of the month
Prairie Fire is a newly reimagined take on WILL-TV's beloved magazine program from the mid-'90s. Rooted in storytelling, "Prairie Fire" brings you cinematic documentaries, profiles and performances from downstate Illinois.
Watch Prairie Fire on WILL TV every third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM, or on demand on YouTube or PBS Online.
Prairie Fire: Season 2 - Episode 5 - February 2025
We share the inspirational story of Chicago native Shannon Voss, introduce you to the art of Kevin Veara, and spend some time at Illinois Hip Hop Camp.
Prairie Fire Stories


Illinois Hip Hop Camp

Shannon Voss

The Poetry of Michael Holloway

Elena Negruţă at Fire Doll Studio

Fire Doll Studio

Prairie Fire Glass

Japan House Tea Ceremony

Scratch Brewing Company

Lucas Dul: Typewriter Chicago

Leading Men Fiber Arts

The Legacy of the Black Barbershop

Leah Marlene performs “Prairie Fire”

Pedal the Preserves

Fresh Press Paper

Jerry’s Hat Museum

Prairie Fire nominated for seven Mid-America regional EMMYs

Prairie Fire Returns for New Season

Rouley & Ruey: Morel Mushroom Hunt

Previewing the 25th Anniversary of Ebertfest with Chaz Ebert

Remembering Mark Rubel

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen

Taylor Studios, Inc.

The Underground Railroad in Illinois

Candy Foster - Entertainer

Operation Wild Horse

Charles Dickens previews “A Christmas Carol”

U of I Black Chorus Performs in Collins Studio

Haunted Illinois: The Avon Theater

A House That Made History

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Haunted Illinois: Alton & The Mineral Springs Hotel

Arcadia: America’s Playable Arcade Museum

The Coonley Playhouse

Charles Dickens on the Mississippi River

Los Texano’z

The Brown Bag

A Toast to…Kaighla Rises

Anthony Becker

Past Favorites with Alison Davis

Chris Vallillo

Preston Jackson

Cherry Blossoms at Japan House

High Cross Sound

Charles Dickens Visits Illinois

Stango Cuisine

Susannah Scaroni

Leah Marlene

Gettin’ to It: The Jazz Life of Christian McBride
Prairie Fire Episodes
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Prairie Fire: Season 2 - Episode 5 - February 2025
We share the inspirational story of Chicago native Shannon Voss, introduce you to the art of Kevin… -
Prairie Fire: Season 2 - Episode 4 - December 2024
We meet entrepreneur Kayla Brown, who combined her love of healthy living, music and candlemaking… -
Prairie Fire: Season 2 - Episode 3 - November 2024
We visit Scratch Brewing Company, located in Ava, Illinois, Prairie Fire Glass in Monticello, and… -
Prairie Fire: Season 2 - Episode 2 - October 2024
This month, meet a young guy in Downer's Grove who is one of Illinois' only typewriter… -
Prairie Fire: Season 2 - Episode 1 - September 2024
We kick off Season 2 with a visit to Fresh Press Paper in Urbana, Sarah takes us on a bike trip… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 12 - May 2024
Join us on a morel mushroom hunt and take a look behind-the-scenes in the creation of museum… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 11 - April 2024
In celebration of Earth Month, Prairie Fire presents "Cetacean (The Whale)," a one-hour… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 10 - March 2024
We take you to Taylor Studios in Rantoul, where they create and manufacture the actual exhibits you… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 9 - February 2024
In celebration of Black History Month, we sit down with Gerald "Candy" Foster, one of the… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 8 - December 2023
In this special holiday edition of Prairie Fire, we travel to Bull Valley, Illinois to introduce you… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 7 - November 2023
In November, we take a look back at three stories from this season that celebrate the Illinois great… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 6 - October 2023
We visit the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, get an personal tour of the Governor's mansion with… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 5 - September 2023
Meet a couple restoring a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Riverside Illinois. Get a tour of an old school… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 4 - August 2023
We visit a popular deli in Monticello that has been a favorite stop for close to 50 years. And we… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 3 - July 2023
This month, we introduce you to a local gardener with an incredible story, we sit down with a former… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 2 - June 2023
Prairie Fire introduces you to renowned artist and musian Preston Jackson, visits a unique central… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 1 - May 2023
Prairie Fire makes its return with stories about Paralympian Susannah Scaroni, restauranteur Mubanga… -
The Movement Revisited with Christian McBride
Jazz legend Christian McBride and his bandmates visited the University of Illinois campus last year…