The city of San Marcos proclaimed Oct. Fire Prevention Month during Fire Prevention Week, which was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, a tragedy that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,400 structures and more than 200 acres on Oct. 8 to 9 in 1871.
“The most devastating fire in American history was the Peshtigo fire, which also occurred on October 8, 1871, and raged through Northeast Wisconsin, burning down 16 towns, killing 1,152 people and scorching 1.2 million acres before it ended,” the proclamation stated. “Those who survived the Chicago and Peshtigo fires never forgot the tragedies and countless tales of bravery and heroism that led to a new approach toward fire safety and prevention, and in 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first proclamation for National Fire Prevention Day.
According to the proclamation, the San Marcos Fire Department, the Fire Marshal’s Office and the San Marcos Professional Fire Fighters Association are dedicated to protecting the safety of our citizens and the preservation of property through their devotion to firefighting, emergency responses of all sorts and to the education of citizens of all ages in fire prevention techniques and practices.
“The Fire Department, Firefighters and Fire Marshal’s Office will reach out to the community throughout the month of Oct., teaching life-saving lessons of fire safety and promoting this year’s theme of ‘Smoke Alarms: Make Then Work For You,’” the proclamation stated.
San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson called upon all San Marcos residents “to recognize the importance of fire safety practices at home, school and work and to take part in Fire Prevention Month activities that will help save lives and property in our community.”
