1918

Forest Fires of Minnesota

Photo Credit: T. J Horton

On this day (afternoon) in 1918, several forest fires ignited. They would soon merge into one wildfire.

The fire started in the area of Automba, Minnesota (USA).

The fire spread quickly and with today’s wildfire terminology would be considered a fire with critical fire behavior with wind-driven runs, spotting, and spreading at an extreme rate of spread. Winds were reported as gusting up to 60 miles per hour.

Within a short amount of time, the fire would have destroyed 2,000 square miles (not acres), forest lands, homes, and townships. Heavy fire fuels include downed trees, logging slash, and other wood debris creating RED FLAG WARNINGS due to drought conditions, strong winds, and poor land management/land clearing.

Photo Credit: T.J. Horton

About 450 people were killed and more than 52,000 were burned or had significant injuries. This was definitely something more of a disaster than anything else.

Additionally, towns were completely wiped off the map which included municipalities in Moose Lake, Kettle River, Automba, and Cloquet. The fire also impacted the community of Fond du Lac Reservation (Nagaajiwanaang).

By early evening on this day, the Minnesota Home Guard arrived and began rescues and fire suppression alongside volunteer firefighters. The Motor Corps also tried the same during times when the challenges of being surrounded by fire could become a reality.

Some residents would drive their vehicles into lakes and ponds to escape the fire, while others became victims of the fire and smoke.

The cause was suspected to be a passenger train passing by a railroad siding which may have sparked the grass and a pile of wood.

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