中西部的大火：1871年10月8日

坐在火爐或者營火之前是相當有趣的經驗，但是當火苗失去控制，就會變成可怕的惡夢。現在因為有許多煙霧警報器、消防栓，以及經費充裕的消防局等等，許多市區火災都可以在幾小時內就被潑滅。但是當環境無法配合，火勢甚至可以延燒好幾天，並且摧毀所有東西。


Sitting in front of a fireplace or around a campfire can be a lot of fun, but when a fire grows out of control, it becomes a frightening event. Today, with smoke alarms, fire hydrants and well-funded fire departments, most city fires can be stopped within hours. However, when conditions are right, a fire can burn for days, destroying everything in its path.

On Sunday, October 8, 1871, conditions in the Midwest were exactly right to create a devastating fire. The long dry summer had carried into October, and the winds were strong.

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