How many people died in the 1881 Michigan Fire?

The stated death toll for the 1881 fire is stated as 282. However, the real total will never be known as there were many lumbermen and transient laborers in the region.

How many acres were destroyed in the 1881 Michigan Fire?

Over two days over a million acres were burned. It left 3,400 buildings destroyed, and almost 15,000 residents homeless.

What was the economic loss of the 1881 Michigan Fire?

The U.S. Army offered an estimate of $2,003,390. In today's dollars that equates to over $50,000,000.

How Does the 1881 Michigan Fire Compare to Other Wildfires in History?

In terms of loss of life, the 1881 Great Michigan Fire is considered one of the top ten wildfires of all time. With 282 lives lost the 1881 wildfire is considered the 6th worst in history .

1881 Michigan Fire Forever Changed the Thumb

The fires of September 4th though the 6th 1881, commonly known as the Thumb Fire, took hundreds of lives and burned well over one million acres.

by Michael HardySeptember 4, 2021January 30, 202525

Michael Hardy

Michael is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. It started in 2009 as a fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Since then, he has expanded sites and range of content and established a loyal base of 60,000 visitors per month.

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