COLORS OF THE FIRESTORM - The Great Peshtigo Fire by Linda Brieno Man against nature, the ultimate test of survival. “Colors of the Firestorm” creates a living legacy in its portrayal of the worst forest fire ever recorded in American history. The year was 1871 in an unknown pocket of northeastern Wisconsin. It was the driest summer ever. Since little was known about a “green earth” at that time, white men forced their way through the wilderness using fire clearing methods to create the world as we know it now. Little did they know all that would be left was death and destruction. Entire communities were lost while families were forced out of existence. “Jean Pierre” was a trapper and a woodsman who was also a half-breed Indian. He traveled with his mute companion “Abe.” Because of certain prejudices, the only person to befriend them was “Father Peter Pernin,” a Catholic priest who’d recently been assigned to the area. “Jean” makes his usual stops at “Old Albert’s” logging camp, the Middle Sugar Bush where he meets a young couple, “Anton and Clara Sauter.” He visits “Straight Arrow’s” camp, a small band of Indians who remain in hiding after refusing to go the reservation. There are disputes with the railroad men, especially their foreman, “the Pox-man.” All the while, in the dusk of shadows, the giant “She-bear” follows. “Jean” is trying to reach “Katie Murphy” even though her father doesn’t approve. But the many fires that are burning eventually collide. On the evening of October 8, 1971, they rise to unimaginable strength. Fire tornadoes whip across 3,400 square miles in only 16 short hours. There is no time to react. “Jean Pierre’s” Native American heritage had always taught “Fire is Wisdom.” But how could this be true in the face of all the needless deaths? He also knew of the “Four Sacred Colors.” White, yellow, black, and red were the colors found in flames. Not until the fire did he understand their meaning. It was a message to all mankind. These “Four Sacred Colors” were not only the color of flames, but represent each race of people. “Fire is Wisdom” because no color in a fire is brighter.
