MARQUETTE, MI— Dry conditions sparked a number of wildfires across Michigan over the weekend.
The Department of Natural Resources says fire danger is high to very high over much of the state and is expected to stay that way.
Marquette-based fire specialist Keith Murphy says such dry conditions are unusual for this time of year. That means people need to be careful when working and playing outside.
The largest fire currently burning is the Summit Lake Fire in Baraga County’s McCormick Wilderness. The 120-acre fire is on federal land but approaching an area where the DNR would handle fire suppression.
A number of fires were sparked by recent lightning strikes. Those fires can sometimes smolder for days in remote locations before becoming visible. Some of those locations are difficult to reach; Murphy said firefighters were hiking into a fire near Newberry and using a boat to get to a fire in Luce County.
To see if burning is allowed, go to www.michigan.gov/burnpermit.
Officials say never leave a campfire unattended, even for a moment; keep trailer chains from dragging and don’t park hot equipment on dry grass; and whenever you burn anything, keep a hose or other water source nearby.
