Mural of The Great Peshtigo Fire / Mass Grave
The fall season and holidays are truly here! As we continue to reclaim our lives and combat Covid 19, we are in the heart of camping and hunting season. It is a most excellent time for us to reflect on the need for fire safety and prevention in Wisconsin. This information and the threat of fire are always there for campers, city dwellers and those Wisconsinites living in rural areas alike.
What you may not know is that the end of this week Friday October 8th, 2021 is the 150th anniversary of “The Great Chicago Fire” which killed an approximated 300 people and burned much of the wooden buildings (common at that time) and left over 100,000 people homeless. We here in Wisconsin are also known for another “Great fire” that occurred that same night Oct 8th 1871 just about 250 miles from Chicago The Great Peshtigo WI fire was at that time the deadliest wildfire in US History killing 1,200 residents. This area of Marinette WI is also known as The City Rebuilt From Ashes, and is marked by the Peshtigo Fire Museum
“150 years after the Great Chicago Fire, we’re more vulnerable” says NPR’s Scott Simon, 33 residential home fires and 52 local fatalities have struck WI this year alone (Jan 1st – 0ct 3rd 2021) Fire’s, and natural disasters provide a grim reminder that we must not ignore prevention methods or our own risk regardless of the environment we find ourselves. The proper usage and availability of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and developing fire safety plans for school, home and work are our best tools in fire prevention. It is also recommended that you plan to pack fire extinguisher(s) and gallons of water in your camping/ survival gear or even in your cars. Always examine fire plans in public spaces and remainomg aware of your exits are always good rules of thumb as well.
“What we understand better today was that the Midwest was historically dry in the summer of 1871. When a low-pressure front with cooler temperatures rolled in, it stirred up winds, which can fan sparks into wildfires. The fires themselves churn up more winds. Several parts of nearby Michigan also burned during the same few days; at least 500 people were killed there.
150 years later, all of those fires on an autumn night in 1871 might help us see even more clearly how rising global temperatures and severe droughts, from Australia to Algeria to California, have made forests more tinder-dry, fragile, and flammable, and people more vulnerable to the climate changes we’ve helped create.” – Writes Simon
Whether that risk is made up of outdoor fire hazards, poor campsite fire methods, or indoor electronics, candles, or incense the risk to one’s safety livelihood and by extension whole communities can be impacted by the spark of small fires. Attached are some local fire safety resources, have fun this fall and stay safe!!!!!
City of Brookfield National Fire Prevention Week Educational Programming
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Burning restrictions, wildfire and prescribed fire activity
U.S. Fire Administration Wisconsin Fire Loss and Fire Department Profile
National Fire Prevention Week Toolkit
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