Peshtigo Fire Wisconsin USA 1871
These fire tornadoes were deadly—some lifted entire roofs and flung people into the air, while others created explosions of flame that…
Matheson Fire Ontario Canada 1916
Unlike today, there were no organised firefighting efforts to contain the flames. With no way to stop the advancing inferno, entire towns were…
Great Hinckley Fire USA 1918
Combination of scorching heat, strong winds, and dry conditions that transformed Hinckley into a burning graveyard.
Black Saturday Bushfires 2009 Australia
The fires struck as the region experienced the most extreme temperatures and strong winds seen in over a century.
1997 Indonesian Forest Fires
The El Niño weather system played a pivotal role by creating an extreme drought that left vast swathes of forested land extremely dry and flammable.
Thumb Fire Michigan USA 1981
In early September 1981, Michigan’s Thumb region—which includes Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, and Lapeer counties—was experiencing a severe drought.
Cloquet Fire USA 1894
Within a few hours, more than 250,000 acres had been burned, turning the once-thriving towns of Hinckley, Brook Park, and Mission Creek into…
1987 Black Dragon Fire China and Soviet Union
The spring of 1987 was marked by severe drought across northeastern China and Siberia.
Kursha-2 Fire Soviet Union 1936
Unlike natural disasters that occur without human intervention, the Kursha-2 inferno was a preventable catastrophe.
Sati A Hindu Tradition of Burning Widow Alive
The widow, often dressed in bridal attire, was led to her husband’s pyre, where she was expected to step into the flames voluntarily.