Weather Almanac: October 08
October 08
Today's Weather Fact...
On this date in 1871, extended drought and prolonged desiccating breezes contributed to the great Chicago Fire and the deadliest fire in United States history in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. The Peshtigo fire killed over 1,200 people and burned an estimated two billion trees. In Chicago the fire destroyed 17,450 buildings and killed 250 persons.