Local News

Rain brings relief, new challenges for DNR crews fighting UP wildfires

MARQUETTE AND BARAGA COUNTIES -- Rain has helped reduce two Upper Peninsula wildfires, giving firefighters an opportunity to improve access to remote areas and strengthen containment lines.

However, muddy roads, slippery rocks and underground burning continue to pose hazards for crews.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported Tuesday evening that the Ridge and Craig Lake fires received measurable rainfall overnight Monday, with 1 inch of rain on the Ridge Fire and 0.6 inches on the Craig Lake Fire. Rain continued overnight Monday and periodically throughout the day Tuesday.

"The lower fire activity provided the opportunity for firefighters to focus on gaining access to remote areas of the fire, use hose-lays, leaf blowers and hand lines to perform direct attack tactics on the edge of the fire, and work on building containment lines where possible on the Ridge Fire," the MDNR announced Tuesday evening.

Despite the rain and lowered fire activity, the fires were not extinguished as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Ridge Fire, about 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin west of County Road 510 in Marquette County, is still estimated to be 450 acres and 20% contained. The Craig Lake Fire north of Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County is estimated to be 600 acres and 20% contained.

According to the DNR, some of the roads providing access to the fire areas are now difficult to traverse due to mud, ruts and rocks. Both fires are burning in areas with a significant amount of exposed rock, which becomes very slippery and treacherous for firefighters working on suppression efforts.

"Although the rain is definitely helpful, we are also mindful of the additional hazards that it creates for our firefighters," DNR Incident Commander Nate Stearns said. "We're focused on bringing everyone home safely."

The DNR noted the cooperation of area landowners continues to provide critical information to assist firefighters in gaining necessary access and knowledge of the landscape.

Due to drought conditions across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the DNR reported fire activity is burning as deep as 2 feet in the duff layer -- the partially decayed organic matter on the forest floor under the loose leaf litter and above mineral soil -- so rain alone can't extinguish it.

With fire burning at these depths, it can also reportedly 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.

The DNR recently confirmed in a news release a lightning strike caused the Craig Lake Fire. The Upper Peninsula had multiple storms that produced lightning between Monday, Oct. 5, and Thursday, Oct. 8.

The DNR also said it is not unusual for a lightning strike to smolder for a few days before weather conditions, such as high winds, cause it to spread into dry fuels, resulting in a wildfire. A DNR pilot spotted the Craig Lake Fire at 1:48 p.m. Eastern time Friday.

The cause of the Ridge Fire -- which a DNR pilot reported at 3:55 p.m. Eastern time Friday -- remains under investigation.

As of Wednesday afternoon, a temporary flight restriction remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire for a 5-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet.

The status of the "Ready, Set, Go!" protocol for residents along North Basin Drive in Marquette remains at "Ready" status as of Wednesday afternoon. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change.

The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510, Marquette County, remains closed.

The DNR asks the public 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.

In the news release Tuesday evening, the DNR stated that 53 firefighters are on the ground on the Ridge Fire and 19 at the Craig Lake Fire. A 19-person DNR Incident Management Team is managing both fires.

Additional support is being provided by Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management, Baraga County Emergency Management, Michigamme-Spurr Fire Department and DNR Law Enforcement Division.

As always, 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.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 148, or svogelmann@dailypress.net.