Before satellites and better weather tracking, summer fires could blow up to be massive killers. This is the story of a tragic one that the author's grandfather survived as a child. Well-researched, this is the story of the people and the land and the strategies of the time.

The first few chapters introduce a LOT of people, and you know going in that many of them won't live much longer. Their stories are told by the survivors, and this book honors them in a way too. That said, it is a bit overwhelming.

Outside the personal stories are comparisons to other fires (Peshtigo, Priest River, Chicago) and their impacts. The medical story is briefly told, and this book also touches on PTSD in the survivors. Conclusions are scarce - this is a book of history, not a rant against logging or climate change. I added this book to my reading list after reading [b:The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics|16158542|The Boys in the Boat Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics|Daniel James Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354683116l/16158542.SY75.jpg|21998925]. I've not seen it in local bookstores, but the library had a single copy, which I was able to check out and read during the pandemic. I look forward to reading more from this author.