One of Minnesota’s worst natural disasters was the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894. A large wildfire broke out in northeastern Minnesota on September 1, fueled by drought, hot temperatures, and strong winds. Hinckley and its environs were devastated by the fire that spread quickly through the area. Tragic losses of life and property resulted from the lack of warning given to locals.

The rapid spread of the fire made it difficult for residents to flee, and it burned somewhere around 200,000 acres. The tragedy was one of the deadliest wildfires in American history, taking the lives of an estimated 418 people. As a result of the Great Hinckley Fire, people became more conscious of the risks posed by wildfires and worked to enhance fire prevention methods. A sense of solidarity in the face of tragedy was demonstrated by the survivors’ fortitude and the subsequent attempts to reconstruct their communities.