October 12, 1918 was another memorable date for Midwest forest fires. On that day forest fires ravaged parts of Minnesota from the Duluth area northeastward. Logging activity left ample fuel, and hot dry weather in the months leading to the event turned it to kindling. In all, 38 towns and villages were destroyed by the fire. Fatality numbers range from 450 to 1000, and damage was over 100 million dollars. Smoke with a smell of burnt wood spread to Albany NY and Washington D.C. in 24 hours. By the 14th, smoke was noted at Charleston SC. Winds shifted slightly and by the 15th smoke was reported in northeastern Texas.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu