Upper Peninsula fire containment efforts continue
A view of the Black River Fire Friday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan DNR)
A crew working on site at the Ridge Fire Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan DNR)
A view of the Black River Fire Friday afternoon. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan DNR)
A crew working on site at the Ridge Fire Thursday. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan DNR)
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UPPER PENINEULA -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources released another update to the wildfires in the Upper Peninsula on Friday around 8:30 p.m.
According to the release, suppression efforts continued. Both Ridge and Craig Lake efforts continued to face additional dangers due to rain in the region adding additional hazards to the already rough terrain around the fires. These hazards included falling trees, slippery rocks and rutted roads where mud has made it difficult -- and in some places impossible -- to get vehicles through.
The DNR is also continuing the manage the Black River Fire, which they took over from the National Forest Service on Tuesday. All three fires are now being referred to as the Rugged Terrain Complex.
Due to the drought conditions across the Upper Peninsula, the fires are burning as deep as 2 feet in the duff layer, so rain alone cannot extinguish them. The DNR has explained that the duff layer is the layer of partially decayed organic matter on the forest floor under the loose leaf litter and above mineral soil. With the fire burning at these depths, it can burn the root systems of what otherwise appear to be healthy, green trees, causing them to fall without notice and creating additional hazards for firefighters. Expected high wind gusts today and Friday increase the likelihood of falling tree dangers.
Due to these dangers to firefighters working on scene, fire crews spent Friday focusing on rehabbing equipment and patrolling. Across all three fires, fire behavior remained low with no fire spread anticipated.
The Ridge Fire estimate has remained the same since Thursday, 466 acres and is now estimated to be 40 percent contained. The Craig Lake Fire has also been updated to 606 acres and 70 percent contained as of Thursday’s update.
The 350 acre Black River Fire, located four miles south of Wakefield, is currently 70 percent contained as well.
Both the “Ready” status of the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive and the temporary flight restriction (TFR) over both fires for a 5-vautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet remain in effect. The public is asked to avoid the area around all fires so that suppression efforts are not impeded. Drones are not permitted in the fire areas as they will bring air operations to a halt.
The portion of Craig Lake State Park north of the Craig Lake Fire also remains closed to visitors, as does the Teddy Lake Yurt and the portion of the North County Trail within the park.
The DNR had a total of 97 firefighters assigned to the Rugged Terrain Complex on Friday. A DNR Incident Management Team is managing the complex.
Additional support is being provided by U.S. Forest Service, Marquette National Weather Service, Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management, Baraga County Emergency Management, Gogebic County Sheriff's Office, Gogebic County Emergency Management, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Bay Mills Indian Community, Negaunee Township, Michigamme-Spurr Fire Department, Bessemer Township Fire Department, Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department, Lyme Timber Great Lakes and DNR Law Enforcement Division.