The Peshtigo fire October 8, 1871 was worse than the Chicago fire. Fire tornado destroyed this area in an hour. Visible fires were common as railroads and immigrants cleared land. Indians also had visible fires. Winds came and started a tornado with fireballs. People survived by swimming in the river that night. Human hair caught fire quickly. No telegraph lines were there. The survivors had to walk to Marinette 7 miles away. Hills had helped Marinette survive the fire better.