The fires front which was ten miles wide was pushed at 20 miles per hour when winds rose to hurricane force. The fire reached the northeastern corner of Duluth it burned a country club, and a train depot but never reached the actual city. The reached it limit at Lake Superior after burning 800 square miles. The Moose Lake fire which was five fires combined began on October 4th around railroad tracks in Aitkin county. It smoldered for 8 days until strong winds and a humidity drop came in from the cold front. It went southeast towards the towns of Moose Lake and Kettle River, combining with other fires along the way. When the fire reached Kettle River people fled. Some fled by car, but a accident at a curve in the road called Dead Man’s curve stopped traffic. Citizens had to run but they could not outrun the fire. Many people saved themselves by going into body’s of water or open fields but many died from suffocation. The Moose Lake fire consumed over 400 miles and was responsible for over half of the deaths from all the fires. “Cloquet, Duluth, and Moose Lake Fires, 1918.
The fires front which was ten miles wide was pushed at 20 miles per hour when winds rose to hurricane force. The fire reached the northeastern corner of Duluth it burned a country club, and a train depot but never reached the actual city. The reached it limit at Lake Superior after burning 800 square miles. The Moose Lake fire which was five fires combined began on October 4th around railroad tracks in Aitkin county. It smoldered for 8 days until strong winds and a humidity drop came in from the cold front. It went southeast towards the towns of Moose Lake and Kettle River, combining with other fires along the way. When the fire reached Kettle River people fled. Some fled by car, but a accident at a curve in the road called Dead Man’s curve stopped traffic. Citizens had to run but they could not outrun the fire. Many people saved themselves by going into body’s of water or open fields but many died from suffocation. The Moose Lake fire consumed over 400 miles and was responsible for over half of the deaths from all the fires. “Cloquet, Duluth, and Moose Lake Fires, 1918.