Bookmark & ShareOctober 9-15, 2011
Protect Your Family From Fire!
Commemorating The Great Chicago Fire
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.
Not the biggest blaze that week
While the Great Chicago Fire was the best-known blaze to start during this fiery two-day stretch, it wasn't the biggest. That distinction goes to the Peshtigo Fire, the most devastating forest fire in American history. The fire, which also occurred on October 8th, 1871, roared through Northeast Wisconsin, burning down 16 towns, killing 1,152 people, and scorching 1.2 million acres before it ended.
Historical accounts of the fire say the blaze began when several railroad workers clearing land for tracks unintentionally started a brush fire. Before long, the fast-moving flames were whipping through the area 'like a tornado,' according to some survivor accounts. It was the small town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin that suffered the worst damage. Within an hour, the entire town had been destroyed.
Protect Your Family From Fire! is the official slogan for this year's National Fire Prevention Week. Fire departments all across the country will hang out banners, visit schools, and conduct public open houses at fire stations to deliver this important message to the people. Our hope is that there will never be another devastatingly "great fire", but we can never meet that goal without the help of the members of our communities.