A hundred and fifty years ago, the deadliest wildfire in recorded history occurred in northeastern Wisconsin with an estimated deaths between 1,500 and 2,500. The Peshtigo fire consumed 2 billion trees and burned 1.2 million acres as the flames reached 200 feet in the air and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The mass grave of nearly 350 people was established because it was impossible to identify so many people.
Some people went to the river in an attempt to escape the flames, like James Mellen and his two younger brothers. For four hours he tried to keep his brothers safe from the heat and flames by wetting their hair and dunking them under water. When James brought his family to shore, he found that both his brothers had died of hypothermia.
The Peshtigo fire, the deadliest wildfire recorded, has been largely forgotten because the famous Great Chicago Fire happened the same day which was publicized more but only killed around 300.
Peshtigo Fire Mass Grave
