Yuma, Arizona - The 2018 theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Look, Listen, Be Aware-Fire can happen anywhere” reminding us that as Americans we need to take personal responsibility for reducing our risk of fire. To further mark this week, each day we will be highlighting a different aspect of fire prevention.
The first national recognition of a Fire Prevention Day came in 1911 on the 40th anniversary of “The Great Chicago Fire”. That fire occurred October 9, 1871. At least 250 people died, 100,000 were left homeless, more than 17,000 structures and 2000 acres burned in only 27 hours! Popular legend has it that the fire was started by a lantern kicked over by “Mrs. O’Leary’s cow”. Less known to history is “The Great Peshtigo Fire” (the most devastating forest fire in American history) raging that same week in neighboring Wisconsin. That fire would burn 2,400 square miles (1.2 million acres!), killing more than 1,100 people, completely destroying the town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin and 15 other towns.
That week in October would long be remembered for its tragic losses in life and property. In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week. 93 years later, our country has grown tremendously and great efforts have been made to protect and preserve life and property, but thousands still die in fires every year in the United States. Each year from 2011 thru 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 358,500 home structure fires. On average these fires resulted in 2,510 civilian fire fatalities, 12,300 civilian injuries and $6.7 billion in damage annually. On average, 7 people per day die in U.S. home fires.