Regional West Fire Protection District

12/10/2025

Avoid Gateway Drive

11/02/2025

09/25/2025

In 1871, while the Chicago Fire captured headlines, a far deadlier blaze raged unnoticed in Wisconsin—the Peshtigo Fire. Sparked by dry winds and logging debris, the inferno swept across forests and towns with unimaginable speed.

The Larsen family, farmers near Peshtigo, saw the sky turn red at dusk. Within minutes, a wall of fire roared toward their homestead, throwing embers like rain. Chickens scattered, cattle bellowed, and the air itself seemed to burn. Grabbing what they could, the Larsens ran for the river as the firestorm howled behind them.

Flames leapt across treetops, faster than any horse could outrun. People dove into wells and streams, some suffocating before the flames even touched them. The Larsens plunged into the river, clinging to one another as fire whirled above the water. Heat seared their skin, and smoke choked their lungs, but the river was their only salvation.

By morning, Peshtigo was gone. Over 1,200 people perished—more than in Chicago’s blaze. For the survivors, like the Larsens, the memory of that night burned deeper than scars, a reminder of nature’s fury and human frailty.

07/29/2025

461 has a assignment

02/28/2025

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for most of Missouri and portions of western and southern Illinois. Conditions are favorable for rapid and dangerous fire spread.

09/24/2024

I think 111 has this IC thing down pat

02/26/2024

DO NOT BURN!

09/08/2023

Some firefighters I know decided to try their hand at logging.

09/02/2023

A BIG thank you to the firefighters from CCFPD and RLFPD for helping out today

05/13/2023