POVERTY ISLAND, MI-- The Poverty Island fire is now about 60 percent contained.
That’s according to officials with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, whose firefighters are mopping up small fires in a “black line” around a historic lighthouse. A burnout of 70 acres now separates the lighthouse from a wildfire that has consumed about 60 acres on the northern end of the 200-acre island. A hose and sprinkler system has been installed around the lighthouse, should fire threaten the building in the future.
The wildfire, thought to be started in late June by lightning, doubled in size to 50 acres by Saturday with the return of hot, dry weather.
A group of 16 federal firefighters from the BIA, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service is currently on Poverty Island. Some are camping on the island to extend their work hours.
