DNR continues work to contain three UP fires
Trending
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is managing three major Upper Peninsula wildfires - Ridge Fire, Craig Lake Fire and Black River Fire - with one incident management team.
Referring to the fires as the Rugged Terrain Complex, the DNR said the safety of the public and firefighters is the top priority. With a substantial amount of rain being received across the entire Complex, fire behavior remained low with no fire spread anticipated, the agency said in a news release Friday.
Due to the significant hazards posed by falling trees and the sustained high winds within the area of all three fires, crews spent Friday focusing on rehabbing equipment and patrolling.
The DNR provided updates on each fire:
RIDGE FIRE
The Ridge Fire is estimated to be 466 acres and 40% contained. It is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. The Ridge Fire was spotted by a DNR pilot Oct. 9; the cause of that fire remains under investigation.
The status of the "Ready, Set, Go!" protocol for residents along North Basin Drive remains at a "Ready" status. Residents were encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed.
CRAIG LAKE FIRE
The Craig Lake Fire, which is at the north end of Craig Lake State Park and does encompass some of the northern reaches of the park, is estimated at 606 acres and is 70% contained. The fire, caused by a lightning strike, was detected by a DNR pilot Oct. 8.
To ensure the safety of Craig Lake State Park visitors, and due to ongoing wildfire suppression operations, the DNR has temporarily closed the park north of Craig Lake proper and the Teddy Lake Yurt through the end of October.
The North Country Trail within Craig Lake State Park has also been closed due to ongoing fire suppression operations.
The remainder of Craig Lake State Park is open to the public.
BLACK RIVER FIRE
The 350-acre Black River Fire, about 4 miles south of Wakefield, is 70% contained. It was detected Sunday and was initially managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The DNR took over management of the fire Tuesday, and the cause is still under investigation. There are currently no road or trail closures associated with this fire, but the public is reminded to avoid the area for their safety and to avoid interfering in fire suppression operations.
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION
A temporary flight restriction remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and the Craig Lake Fire for a 5-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to 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.
FIRE RESPONSE
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.
The DNR reminds people to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and to have an accessible water source nearby. For more fire safety tips, go to Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.