With the 70th anniversary of the Dance fire approaching this October, a committee made up of victims’ family members are planning a large memorial to commemorate the 17 lives that were lost.
But they are looking for support from the community to make it happen.
“The Dance fire is a significant piece of history of the Rainy River District,” noted committee member Donna Haglin. “And we want the history kept alive.”
The committee is hoping to have a monument constructed at a location along Highway 613 North—very close to where the majority of the lives were claimed.
It would like to have a dedication and unveiling of the monument on Oct. 10, followed by a reception and social time at the Dance hall.
“We really want the survivors to be a part of it,” noted Roseanne Farmer, another committee member.
With about 20 survivors ranging in age from 71 to 90, the committee wants to ensure a memorial takes place on this anniversary.
“If we can’t make it happen this year, who knows how many survivors will be left?” she wondered.
It was on Thanksgiving Day in 1938 that land-clearing fires in Dance Township grew out of control due to drought conditions, advancing winds, and unseasonably warm fall temperatures.
The seven fires burning in the township merged and formed one large blaze, which ended up burning 74,049 acres of valuable timber, residences, and business.
It also took the lives of 12 members of the LaBelle family, three members of the Fyle family, and one member each of both the Fults and Larson families.
Another 18 people required medical attention for burns and eye injuries from ash.
“Dance changed after that,” Haglin stressed. “It was the most devastating fire in the history of this area.”
It also changed the way we look at fire control and fire management today.
The majority of buildings in Dance Township burned because the settlers had little or no clearing around their buildings. Often, exits to safe clearings from the buildings were absent or impossible.
This is something that is important for people to recognize today, especially those with homes or cottages in wooded areas.
Following the Dance fire, a review by the local Department of Lands and Forests office indicated the need to widen roads and minimize the slash piles that frequently bordered them.
To improve the control of forest fires in organized townships, the Department of Lands and Forests recommended that Tovell, McCrosson, and Morson be included in the Fort Frances fire district beginning in 1939.
In addition to those whose lives were lost and the survivors of the tragedy, the committee would like to acknowledge all those who offered assistance at such a difficult time.
Haglin mentioned a local nurse who is credited with saving the lives of a lot of people who were injured that day. “You don’t want to forget them,” she stressed.
The Red Cross also provided assistance to many of the settlers who were burned out. Some decided to rebuild on their old sites in Dance Township while others relocated within the district.
Funds, clothing, and furniture were donated by the public, as well as the Dominion and Ontario governments.
Despite some roadblocks for funding through several organizations in order to honour all those involved with the Dance fire with a monument, the committee is forging ahead with its plans.
A recent meeting with Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff provided the group with some guidance to help it prepare packages to organizations for funding.
“And we will certainly look under as many rocks as we can to help,” Boshcoff remarked. “It tells an amazing story and there is a huge lesson to be learned.”
Haglin said the committee expects the cost of a monument and related expenses could run as high as $10,000, although they are hoping it will be less.
They also hope the organizations will recognize the urgency of their request and grant funding so a memorial can be in place by this October.
In the meantime, a donation of the land for the monument, as well as some free labour, already has been put forth. And approval already has been given by the Ministry of Transportation.
But the committee also would like to see support from the community, whether in the form of a monetary donation or simply encouragement to continue to strive towards a Dance fire memorial.
Monetary donations can be mailed to either Sadie (Mrs. Keith) Smith at R.R. #2, Emo or Donna (Mrs. Calvin) Haglin, P.O. Box 115, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
