Peshtigo fire
Quick Summary
The Peshtigo Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871, in northeastern Wisconsin, remains the deadliest wildfire in recorded history. On that night, strong winds fueled existing forest fires, creating a firestorm that devastated hundreds of square miles. The town of Peshtigo was destroyed, with an estimated 800 deaths in the town itself and a total of 1,200–2,400 fatalities in the surrounding areas. This catastrophic event happened on the same night as the more widely known Great Chicago Fire, which is why the Peshtigo Fire is less recognized despite its higher death toll.12
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