Progress made against UP wildfires
Trending
MARQUETTE -- Authorities on Monday dialed back evacuation advisories in Marquette County as crews continue to fight the Ridge Fire about 10 miles northwest of Marquette.
Increased humidity and lower temperatures have helped in reducing the fire's spread, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The fire, first reported Friday afternoon between County Road 510 and North Basin Drive, had grown to more than 250 acres and prompted evacuation of at least three homes on County Road 510. As of Monday evening, it was estimated to be 450 acres and 20% contained.
Officials this weekend shifted its "Ready, Set, Go!" evacuation status for residents along North Basin Drive to "Set." They were told to monitor local media and emergency alerts, load vehicles with emergency bags and valuables and plan for leaving quickly if needed.
"Conditions can change quickly, so be alert and ready to act," the DNR advised.
By Monday, it had lifted the evacuation order for residents on County Road 510 and went back to "Ready" status on the "Ready, Set, Go!” scale for those on North Basin Drive.
A "Ready" advisory encourages people to remove dry brush and debris within 30 to 100 feet of their home so firefighters can protect it, plan an evacuation route, pack an emergency bag including medications, important documents and pet supplies and monitor information from the DNR and Marquette County Sheriff's Office on social media and local news.
"The fire is located in very rugged, difficult terrain, making suppression efforts from firefighters on the ground very challenging," the DNR stated in a news release Sunday.
The fire is being fought on the ground as well as by aircraft. Two Fire Boss aircraft from Minnesota, which scoop up water to drop on the fire, and a Michigan State Police Aviation Type 2 helicopter have been assisting with fire suppression efforts.
"Forty DNR firefighters are on the ground working to establish dozer line(s) where they can in an effort to establish containment lines," according to the Michigan DNR release. "Negaunee Township Fire Department is also assisting."
The Marquette County Sheriff's Office has established an evacuation center at Negaunee Township Hall, 42 E. M-35 in Negaunee. The Red Cross will be assisting evacuees and their pets at this location.
The Noquemanon Trail system is closed west of the trailhead on County Road 510, and people have been urged to avoid that area.
In addition to the Ridge Fire, several other fires cropped up around the Upper Peninsula this weekend due to drought conditions combined with heat and strong winds.
The Craig Lake Fire north of Craig Lake State Park was estimated to be 400 acres and 25% contained as of Monday evening.
"This fire is in a very remote area that is also rugged terrain that is very difficult to access," the Michigan DNR said in the news release. "The remote location and terrain of this fire also make suppression efforts very challenging. Firefighters are working to improve access to the fire area and establish a hand line, which includes clearing vegetation down to bare mineral soil to assist with containment lines."
Twelve firefighters are working on the ground at the Craig Lake fire, which was first spotted by a DNR pilot on Friday.
A shift in direction to a north wind has resulted in heavy wildfire smoke blanketing communities and the region south of both fires, the DNR said Monday evening.
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 has been put into place over both the Craig Lake and Ridge Fires for a 5 nautical mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to avoid the areas around both fires so fire suppression efforts are not interrupted. Drones are not permitted in fire areas, as they impede fire suppression.
"Both fires are fueled by a mix of conifers and hardwoods on ridge tops and a mix of balsam and spruce in the lowlands," said Keith Murphy, DNR incident command. "Public safety and firefighter safety remain our top priority."
The cause of both fires is currently under investigation, although fire danger in the area has been very high all weekend due to dry, warm, windy weather and dry fuels.
"We're grateful for the changing weather conditions that have allowed us to make some containment progress on both fires," said Nate Stearns, DNR incident commander. "Public safety and firefighter safety remain our top priority."
The DNR reminds people to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and always to have an accessible water source nearby. For more fire safety tips, go to Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550, or alippert@miningjournal.net. The Daily News contributed.