On October 8, 1871, while the world watched Chicago burn, the deadliest wildfire in American history was destroying Peshtigo, Wisconsin. In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast, Beard Laws and Meg uncover the forgotten history of the Peshtigo Fire—a disaster so hot it created its own weather systems, fire tornadoes, and boiled rivers.

Most people know about the Great Chicago Fire, but few know that on the exact same night, a firestorm in Northeastern Wisconsin killed over 1,500 people and burned 1.2 million acres. Why did history forget this tragedy?

In this episode, we discuss:

How the logging industry turned the forest into "dry powder."

The science behind a "firestorm" and hurricane-force fire winds.

Terrifying survivor accounts of burying themselves in dirt to survive.

Why the Great Chicago Fire overshadowed this massive tragedy.

If you are a fan of dark history, survival stories, and forgotten American events, this episode is a must-watch.

#PeshtigoFire #AmericanHistory #YoreTownPodcast #DarkHistory #SurvivalStories #WisconsinHistory #Wildfire

About the Beard Laws Network The Beard Laws Network is home to weekly shows covering true crime, conspiracies, family-life comedy, sports legends, and strange local history. New episodes drop every week from:

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Street Sign Storytime (Local Lore) – Sundays Watch the Series Here

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Listen to Full Episodes & Clips

➜ Beard Laws Network Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@BeardLawsNetwork/shorts

➜ Main Beard Laws Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BeardLaws

Follow on Socials

TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more → https://linktr.ee/beardlaws

Support the Show

Like, comment, and share this episode — it helps the Network grow a TON!

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