Why You Don't Know About The Deadliest Fire In U.S. History

The deadliest wildfire in American history killed nearly 2,500 people and destroyed more than 1.2 million acres of Wisconsin logging town, but you've probably never heard of it. The Peshtigo fire of 1871 is often overlooked in the history books, mostly because it happened on the same day as the much more famous fire - perhaps no coincidence.

The deadliest wildfire in American history killed nearly 2,500 people and destroyed more than 1.2 million acres of Wisconsin logging town, but you've probably never heard of it. The Peshtigo fire of 1871 is often overlooked in the history books, mostly because it occurred on the same day as the much more famous fire—perhaps no coincidence

What Caused The Pestigo Fire?

When the Peshtigo fire eventually burned itself out, about 2,500 people (more than half of the city's population) died, most of them burned beyond recognition and sent to a mass grave, and an area of ​​land close to Connecticut. Shape destroyed. To add insult to injury, when survivors asked the public for help with cleanup, recovery, and rebuilding efforts, they found that resources were being heavily directed after the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred the same day. happened. In fact, an unusual number of fires occurred in the region, including the Michigan cities of Holland, Manistee, Alpena and Port Huron. This was likely due to dry conditions and high winds in the area, but some cite a far-flung explanation as meteor showers (which were not reported that day and never caused a fire). were known, FYI).