to clear their land of tree stumps and brush piles,settler in the Thumb District burned them. Strong winds and dry conditions did the rest. As the horrific fire approached,people took refuge in cleared field,in Lake. the wind fanned the flames so quickly that,according to some accounts,horses racing away from the flames were overtaken and engulfed. Rhe dense smoke prevented many settlers from finding shelter.As a result,280 people perished,thousands of people were left homeless and countless domestic and wild animals died.