Efforts to contain two wildfires in the Upper Peninsula continue
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UPPER PENINSULA -- The two wildfires in the Upper Peninsula -- in Negaunee Township and north of Craig Lake -- continue to burn. The fires were both spotted by a DNR pilot in the afternoon of Friday Oct. 9. Efforts to contain the fires are still underway. The Michigan DNR released new information on the state of containing both fires at 7:20 p.m. Monday.
The Ridge fire -- located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin -- has been estimated to be 450 acres and 20 percent contained. The fire has grown from the size of 256 acres, which was the estimated size Sunday.
The evacuation order for the residents along County Road 510 who were previously evacuated on Sunday has been lifted. The status of the "Ready, Set, Go!" protocol for residents along North Basin Drive was also shifted back to "Ready" status. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed.
The fire north of Craig Lake State Park is now estimated to be 400 acres and 25 percent contained. The fire has grown from the 309 acre estimate from Sunday. The remote location and rugged terrain at the site of this fire has made it difficult for firefighters to access. Portions of the fire area are only accessible on foot without the possibility of gaining access with fire equipment. Firefighters are using hand tools to establish containment lines where they are able to gain access.
In their release, the DNR reported winds shifting from the north in the region has pushed heavy wildfire smoke towards communities and the region south of both fires. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an air quality alert for Baraga, Marquette, Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties, forecasting both "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and "Unhealthy" levels of pollution. It is recommended to watch for new or worsening symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath and reduce long or intense outdoor activities.
A temporary flight restriction, or TFR, remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire for a 5-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to please avoid the area around both fires so that suppression efforts are not interrupted. Drones are not permitted in the fire area as they will bring air operations to a halt.
Despite the growth of both fires, the weather has changed favorably for efforts to contain them. According to the DNR, cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity calmed fire activity at both sites on Monday. This allowed firefighters to make progress on containment efforts on both fires.
As of Monday's update, the DNR has 34 firefighters on the ground on the Ridge Fire and 17 firefighters on the ground on the Craig Lake Fire. An 18-person DNR Incident Management Team is managing both fires. Additional support is being provided by Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff's Office, Baraga County Emergency Management and DNR Law Enforcement Division.
Investigation into the cause of both fires is still being conducted at this time.
It is important to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and to have an accessible water source nearby. Visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires for more information.
For those in areas affected by wildfire smoke, more information on monitoring conditions in your local area are provided at michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/air-quality/air-monitoring/wildfire-smoke.