The terrible Thumb Fire was a fire that occurred in the Thumb area of Michigan. The fire was caused by drought, hurricane winds, heat, and the ecological damage wrought by the logging techniques of that era.
On this day September 5th, in 1881, the Thumb Fire blazed through Michigan burning over a million acres of land in less than one day. The fire killed 282 people and the damage was estimated to be $2.3 million — that equates to $53 million today, when adjusted for inflation.
The Thumb Fire was also known as the Great Forest Fire of 1881 and the Huron Fire. It was first official disaster the Red Cross responded to by providing money, clothes, and household items. The Red Cross has continued to grow as an organization helping millions throughout the world via humanitarian aid in medical supplies, shelter, and food.