Grantsburg in Burnett County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

1980 Ekdall Church Fire

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013

1. 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker

Inscription. The weather on April 21, 1980 was unseasonably hot and dry. On that day a temperature of 91 degrees combined with a humidity of 18 percent to set the stage for a catastrophic fire. At approximately 12:20 pm. that sweltering afternoon, the historic Ekdall Church Fire began. Fueled by tinder dry conditions and a strong southwest wind, the Ekdall Church Fire consumed acre upon acre on its march to the Saint Croix River. At its peak, the Ekdall Church Fire was estimated to have been traveling nearly 2 1/2 miles per hour. The fire’s destructive path was five miles long and, in some locations, nearly three miles wide. By days end, 4,654 acres of forest and wetlands were destroyed along with 73 structures. One of the structures destroyed was the historic Ekdall Church, from which the fire received its name.

Erected by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Disasters • Environment. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1890.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 45° 53.748′ N, 92° 39.871′ W. Marker was in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, in Burnett County. Marker was on County Route F, on

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the right when traveling east. Marker is approximately 8 miles north of Grantsburg. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 13200 Cnty Hwy F, Grantsburg WI 54840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 12 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Crex Meadows (approx. 2.1 miles away); A Room With A View (approx. 4.8 miles away in Minnesota); Governor Knowles State Forest (approx. 10.1 miles away); Canute Anderson (approx. 11.6 miles away).

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013

2. 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker

Inset map of fire area.

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013

3. 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker

Fire Statistics

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013

4. 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker

Photos of fire (Upper left)

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013

5. 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker

Looking southeast from marker site

Current view of former location of 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 22, 2022

6. Current view of former location of 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker

Replacement for 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 22, 2022

7. Replacement for 1980 Ekdall Church Fire Marker

Nearby Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013

8. Nearby Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2013, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,213 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2013, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 6, 7. submitted on July 23, 2022, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 8. submitted on September 13, 2013, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.