In 1871:
Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Deadliest fire in American history. Between 1,700 and 2,500 people perished; estimates inaccurate as many town halls with birth, marriage and tax records were lost and superheated flames cremated victims. 1.2 million acres burned.
Door County, Wisconsin. It was assumed fire vortices from the Peshtigo firestorm jumped across Green Bay but has been disproven. It had been a hot and dry summer and extremely strong winds created dangerous conditions. Aprx 200 killed. Aprx 1.000.000 acres burned.
There was a wiidfire along the Lake Michigan near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Four fires in Michigan, the Peshtigo fire jumped the Menominee River and burned in Menominee County, Michigan on the Upper Peninsula, one on the Lake Michigan near Manistee and another near Holland, the other on Lake Huron. Estimated loss of life 500(?). 2,500,000 acres burned.
The Great Chicago Fire. Nothing to do with Catherine O'Leary's cow kicking over a lantern. Estimated 200 people died. 3.5 square miles burned leaving estimated 100,000 homeless.