The Peshtigo Fire

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Peshtigo is a small town in what State? Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Montana

2. Weather conditions at the time meant that the area was in a cycle of severe drought and that temperatures were elevated. What additional weather factor was a contributing factor? Lack of snow the previous winter Local dust storms Cyclonic winds Global warming

3. In addition to the weather factors, what caused the fire to be so widespread? Debris from railroad construction Extensive clearing of land for farming All of these Wood debris from sawmills and other industries

4. What was the physical extent of the Fire? 1000 acres of land 500,000 acres of land 750,000 acres of land 1.5 million acres of land

5. What was the extent of human life in the Fire? 1500 lives lost 35 lives lost 1200 lives lost 375 lives lost

6. Why is it called the "Peshtigo Fire" when many other towns and villages were destroyed? Chief Pesthigo was killed in the Fire Peshtigo is the Indian name for fire Peshtigo was the center of the Fire and most devastated. The Peshtigo River runs through the Fire area

7. What action did Governor Lucius Fairchild take during this time? Went to Chicago to assist with the aftermath of the Chicago Fire Called the Wisconsin Legislature together to act on fire safety Sent the National Guard to Peshtigo for assistance Immediately made a personal inspection of Fire area

8. In the census of 1870 the population of Peshtigo was about 1700. What was the estimated death toll just in Peshtigo? 1600 plus 800 plus 250 plus 500 plus

9. What was the lesson learned by the public as a result of the Peshtigo Fire? Pointed out the need for forest management Less wasteful lumbering techniques were developed. The public learned that the forest is not an unlimited natural resource All of these

10. Many theories exist about this Fire. Which of these is not true? Fire started by sparks from a comet None of these are true Deliberately set by unhappy lumberjacks as a protest against low wages Set by Native Americans who had been forced off their land