Near Thornloe in Timiskaming District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Great Fire of 1922
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 2022
1. The Great Fire of 1922 Marker
On October 4, 1922, scattered bush fires which had been burning for some days north of Haileybury were united by strong winds into a holocaust which spread over most of 18 townships and took an estimated 43 lives. Burning out of control between the Englehart and Cobalt areas, it destroyed the communities of North Cobalt, Charlton, Thornloe and Heaslip, while Englehart and New Liskeard were partly consumed. The thriving town of Haileybury was razed except for a few buildings on the shore of Lake Timiskaming. On the night of October 5 the wind dropped and snow and rain helped extinguish the fire. A massive emergency relief programme helped to restore the economy of the area.
Erected 1972 by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Archives of Ontario; and Ontario Forestry Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is October 4, 1922.
Location. 47° 41.816′ N, 79° 47.279′ W. Marker is near Thornloe, Ontario, in Timiskaming District. Marker is at the intersection of Trans-Canada Highway (Provincial Highway 11) and Poly Ure Road (Armstrong 3 Concession), on the right when traveling north on Trans-Canada Highway. Marker is located in the highway wayside just north of Poly Ure Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thornloe ON P0J 1S0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers.
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Also see . . .
1. Great Fire of 1922.
The Great Fire of 1922 was a wildfire burning through the Lesser Clay Belt in the Timiskaming District, Ontario, Canada, from October 4 to 5, 1922. It has been called one of the ten worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Over two days, the fire consumed an area of 650 square miles affecting 18 townships in Ontario. In Quebec, the communities of Notre-Dame-du-Nord and neighbouring Notre-Dame-des-Quinze were also devastated. One of the towns hit hardest was Haileybury which burnt down within 3 to 6 hours. The town's residents were forced to take refuge in the cold waters of Lake Timiskaming and cover themselves with wet blankets.(Submitted on June 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)The fire destroyed over 90% of the town. Furthermore, the fire had consumed all the nearby forests, causing a severe shortage of firewood and forcing people for many years to travel far in order to obtain it.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 20222. Ontario Forestry Association Plaque(mounted below marker)
Erected in co-operation with the Ontario Forestry Association to mark the 50th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1922 —
October 4, 1972.
Ministry of Natural Resources
Hon. Leo Bernier, Minister
W. Q. Macnee, Deputy Minister
2. The Great Fire of 1922.
Each fall, farmers in the Temiskaming District set small fires to more speedily clear their land of brush and trees. Knowing this practice, fire rangers sought special permission in 1922 to remain on the job into the autumn, fearing that the summer’s hot and dry conditions would persist. The request was denied, and once fire permits were no longer required, farmers went ahead with clearing their land as usual. When winds gusted on Wednesday, October 4 — eventually rising to hurricane-force winds over the course of the day — several small bush fires blew together, merging into a massive, uncontrollable forest fire spreading across the landscape.(Submitted on June 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 2022
3. The Great Fire of 1922 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 549 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
