October 7th has seen quite a few harrowing incidents on this date and we are sharing information, “On This Day in History”. Information is gleaned from multiple sources for this post and covering incidents locally, nationally, and around the Globe.

2023

Missile Attack – Syria

Syria Civil Defense firefighters responded to a missile attack by government forces on Ariha city in southern #Idlib today, October 7th. One civilian was killed, and three others, including a child, were seriously injured. The attack also resulted in a fire at a shop that their teams extinguished. | Photo Credit: Syria Civil Defense (The White Helmets)

CAL FIRE SKU RX Fires – California

Photo Credit: CAL FIRE

Today is the second day CAL FIRE SKU will be conducting a prescribed burn at the #ScottRiverRanchVMP near Mcconaugh Gulch Rd in Scott Valley. The burn will take place between the times of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. today. Smoke may be seen during burn operations throughout Scott Valley.

2023 Calendar Contest – United States

The Forest Fire Lookout Association has opened their time period of submitting photos of your Fire Lookouts to them for their 2023 Calendar Contest. Info can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/forestfirelookout or by sending an email to mtnlace@gmail.com.

2022

Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program – United States

A bipartisan infrastructure law was enacted in 2021, which provided $1B to create this program. The deadline was set for October 7, 2023, per the U.S. Forest Service.

24th Annual Capital Area Interagency Wildfire and Incident & Management Academy

Texas A&M Forest Service holds its 24th Annual Academy at the Camp Swift National Guard Facility in Bastrop, Texas this week from October 7-19, 2022. Photo Credit: TAMFS

Summit Fire – California

The Summit Fire started on August 3, 2022, and would continue to burn until October 31, 2022, was caused by lightning. The fire was put out by indirect methods as it burned throughout this time in the Sequoia National Park. A total of 1,394 acres would be destroyed by the time it had been put out.

Six Rivers Lightning Complex – California

Just a few days after the Summit Fire ignited, the Six Rivers Lightning Complex was formed with multiple wildfires which started on August 5, 2022. It had caused mandatory evacuations in Trinity and Humboldt counties, with several fires merging into the Campbell and Ammon Fires. The fires would not be completely out until November 3, 2022, after 41,596 acres were burned.

Mosquito Fire – California

The Mosquito Fire ignited on September 6, 2022, burning near Foresthill and forcing a large mandatory evacuation of Placer and El Dorado Counties. It burned 76,788 acres and would be fully put on on October 23, 2022. It also destroyed 78 structures.

Barnes Fire – California

The Barnes Fire was caused by lightning near the Fort Bidwell area in the Warner Mountains. It would be brought under control and put out on October 13, 2022. The fire would burn about 5,843 acres.

2021

KNP Complex – California

The KNP Complex burning in the Sequoia National Park. 85,952 acres burned. Firefighters are still working on challenges with the uncontrolled fire edge, completing dozer lines, and working to reach their 100% fire objectives.

2020

Yogo Fire – Sanford, Montana

A third RED FLAG WARNING was issued in a row during the Yogo Fire where firefighters report they had another successful day on the wildfire, now burning up to 3,285 acres.

Camera Peak Fire – Larimer County, Colorado

The Larimer County Sheriff issues evacuation level change for those in the Glacier View area.

Clean Air Day – California

In 2020, on this day with all of the wildfires burning in the state, the significance of this day really matters.

Weather Events – United States

Weather forecasters, chasers, and reports state in 2020 alone, there have been 16 weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1B each. In one of the events, it was a drought-caused event, 11 severe storm events, three tropical cyclone events, and one wildfire event.

2019

Wildfire Victim Claims – United States

Wildfire Victims request $13.5B in claims in the PG&E bankruptcy case.

1999

WSP Troop Saunders – Never Forget

Trooper James Saunders died on October 7, 1999, at the age of 31, from gunshot wounds while conduct-ing a traffic stop in Pasco. At the time of his death, Trooper Saunders had served 8-1/2 years with the Washington State Patrol as a trooper. He was survived by his wife and two children. | Photo Credit: WSP Memorial Foundation

1979

Fire Fighters Memorial

The first Fire Fighters Memorial Sunday was held.

1935

Glidden Plant Explosion – Chicago, Illinois

The Glidden plant exploded and killed twelve people. The explosion occurred in the 1800 block of N. Laramie Avenue in the North Autust neighborhood. The force from the explosion was so powerful, that it leveled the five-story factory building, destroying nearby exposed buildings (storage), crushed cars and rail cars, and shattering windows in 200 residential and apartment structures. Additionally, there were 46 injuries. A Fire Department investigation determined the cause was a spontaneous eruption of dust in a huge five-story tank.

1908

Nowak Elevator Commercial Structure Fire – Buffalo, NY

Firefighters who were battling a commercial structure fire at the Nowak Elevator at the BeltLine Crossing for five hours, found themselves entrapped after the structure suddenly collapsed. Firefighters from Engines 18, 22, Ladders 3,5, and 6, along with a firefighter from Ladder 3 and Engine 18 were buried in several feet of rubble. Others clung to debris inside the building trying to survive. One had been removed and died on the fire ground, another was extricated with serious injuries. Those who were rescued would have severe burns, broken bones, and abrasions. It was said some would never return to work again.

1871

Saturday Night Fire- Peshtigo, WI

Back in this time of history, this town was a lumber and sawmill town. To create new lands to be owned by settlers, they would use the “slash and burn” method creating dangers for nearby forested lands. During the summer of this year, the climate and fuels were said to be exceptionally dry at this time of year. In the month before (September), there were significant fires burning from Canada to Iowa. The town’s structures were considered to be a heavy fire load for the area because all houses were made of timber, roads in and out of the area were also made of sawdust, and their main bridge was made out of wood. For those reasons, the town took out fire prevention measures on September 23, to bring in large amounts of water stored on hand in case of such fire did occur. On this date, a fire broke out in an unknown location in the forest and quickly spread to the small village of Sugar Bursh, wiping out the area and killing every single resident/person in the town (unknown number) then it impacted the community of Peshtigo. (see tomorrow’s continuation of this incident)

1825

Great Miramichi Fire – New Brunswick, Canada

A wildfire that would later become a massive complex fire started on this day in 1825, in the northern portion of north New Brunswick destroying about one-third of the homes in Fredericton, Newcastle, New Brunswick (now part of the City of Miramichi) and in the town with a population of 1,000, losing 260 original buildings. There were said to be about 160 deaths in Newcastle, 3,000 lumbermen (in the forests), and burned about 3.95 million acres. The start of the fire was determined to be human-caused with a heavy fire load and RED FLAG WARNING conditions though we all know that’s not what it was called back in the day. This is thought to be one of the deadliest in this area. The city has been rebuilt, of course since then but many residents would move out of the fire-impacted areas.

Sources: History.com, Wikipedia, LinkedIn, USFS, US Government, NOAA, WSP Memorial Foundation and Social Media.

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