But fire - especially man-created firestorms - can produce disasters of monumental proportions. When a wildfire burns completely out of control, even today, the best firefighters can do is hope for low wind and lots of rain. In the 17th century, before fire engines were invented, firefighters used buckets and shovels to combat encroaching flames.

Early versions of American fire engines were imported from London. Boston, prompted by a disastrous 1679 fire, formed the first paid fire-fighting department and imported the colonies’ initial engine. New York City had the new equipment by 1731.

Fire steam engines, a huge help for New York, were available in 1841. But early equipment broke down. Precious time was wasted just trying to set it up. Early steamers were pulled by horses who couldn’t travel as fast as they were needed.

During the 1860s, Civil War fire engines (follow the link to view an 1865 version) were primitive. By 1870, the year before the Great Fires, a "good steam fire-engine" could throw 1200 gallons of water 200 feet in one minute. (Manufacturer and Builder; Volume 2, Issue 10, October, 1870. Scroll down to pages 305-306.)

But even along the shore of a great lake, water wasn’t enough for 19th century firefighters to stop a spreading conflagration pushed along by cyclonic winds.