HIAWATHA NATONAL FOREST, MI - Fire crews who specialize in battling wilderness fires and pilots in low-flying Fire Boss planes that drop water onto blazes are working together to contain wildfires in two national forests in the Upper Peninsula this week.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 425 acres combined were burning in the Ottawa National Forest and the Hiawatha National Forest this week.
The fast-moving Lard Lake fire in the western zone of the Hiawatha was described as “actively torching” and feeding on timber after first being reported on Tuesday. It was initially said to be about 200 acres in size, spreading in a forest area south of Munising in Schoolcraft County.
Rain on Wednesday and containment efforts by fire crews has knocked this blaze down to about 79 acres, the Forest Service reported today.
“The Lard Lake Fire is located east of Highway 13 near Forest Service Roads 2253 and 2449. Fire crews created a line around the fire to hamper forward progression and continue to work in the area. For your safety and that of the firefighters, please stay clear,” U.S. Forest Service officials said.
The second fire is the Summit Lake Fire, which has burned about 225 acres since last Friday. It is a slow-moving blaze in the McCormick Wilderness in the Ottawa National Forest, near Michigamme. The area received a little rain on Tuesday, which stalled the fire’s progress as it burned through dead wood and natural debris on the ground.
A fire is burning near Summit Lake in the McCormick Wilderness in the Upper Peninsula, the U.S. Forest Service said.U.S. Forest Service
Fire danger remains high in many areas across both of Michigan’s peninsulas. Drought conditions and dry, windy weather have increased this danger.
Because of this, the U.S. Forest Service said it is “prepositioning” some of its aerial firefighting resources around the Great Lakes so these planes will be ready to help fight wildfires as they are reported.
“Three amphibious AT-802F scooping Single Engine Air Tanker (SEATs), also known as Fire Bosses, centrally located in the Great Lakes, provided aerial assistance on the Summit and Lard Lake fires supporting ground firefighting units with dampening the wildfires’ forward movement. An additional assist on a Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ wildfire in Deerton, just west of Munising, brought the total of aerial suppression efforts to 48,000 gallons over the course of 60 water drops,” the Forest Service said today.
An overhead view of the Summit Lake fire in the McCormick Wilderness.U.S. Forest Service
Farther south, officials in the Huron-Manistee National Forests in the Lower Peninsula are asking locals and visitors to stay vigilant and work to prevent wildfires. That area is also dry, and recreational activities like riding ORVs, camping and hunting could spark fires. Be mindful of this as you’re outside.
Some tips for rural homeowners in these dry areas:
- Clean gutters so they are free of flammable debris.
- Inspect recreational fire rings: Remove debris feet outside of the pit and 20 feet overhead.
- Pay special attention to the roof of any structures, residences or outbuildings, which may be a vital ignition point during a wildfire.
- Composting, chipping and even creating wildlife habitat for small mammals for overwintering would be a better use of yard waste and debris during this dry spell.
“Home hardening techniques, like cleaning gutters, removing dead vegetation from the foundation of structures and homes, as well as keeping the area under decks free of flammable materials and gas cans help reduce a structure/house fire in the event of a wildfire,” Fire Management Officer Matthew Way said.