THE CASSIDY CREEK Fire burns Wednesday northeast of Norway in Dickinson County. The fire is contained, although Michigan Department of Natural Resources crews continued Friday to mop up. The fire danger in Dickinson County is very high, according to the DNR. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo)

A wildfire brought under control this week in the Cassidy Creek area of eastern Dickinson County was caused by a lightning strike, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The fire northeast of Norway is contained but DNR fire crews remained in the area Friday checking for hot spots.

Hot and dry conditions in the Upper Peninsula have contributed to an extreme fire danger over the past three weeks, said Kerry Heckman, public information officer with the DNR’s Incident Management Team. The Cassidy Creek Fire illustrates that even green vegetation is burning, he said.

The three drivers of fire risk are temperature, humidity/dryness and wind, Heckman said. The U.P. is experiencing all three, although the wind has been at least somewhat favorable, he said.

To help prevent wildfires the DNR recommends:

— Never leaving fires unattended, even for a minute.

— Calling 911 immediately if you see a wildfire or if a personal fire gets out of control.

— Being aware of fire conditions before burning. Currently, burn permits are not being issued by the DNR. About 27% of wildfires are caused by debris burning.

— Making sure campfires are out cold before turning in for the night. Always put fires out completely with water. Drench, stir with a shovel and drench again. Use the back of your hand to ensure the fire is cool. If you feel any heat, it’s not out.

DNR firefighters statewide have fought more than two dozen fires in the past week, including the Wilderness Trail Fire contained Tuesday in downstate Grayling Township. That fire, which escaped June 3 from a campfire on private property, covered more than 2,400 acres.

“There’s been many, many smaller ones that the local volunteer fire departments have taken care of, and city fire departments,” said Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist. “We greatly appreciate their help.”