UPPER PENINSULA, MI— High winds and dry conditions mean crews are struggling to keep up with U.P. wildfires.
Negaunee Township’s Ridge Fire has expanded to around 60 acres because of high winds. DNR crews are at the scene about 10 miles northwest of Marquette between County Road 510 and North Basin Drive. Two homes on County Road 510 were evacuated as a precaution. It’s not known when they’ll be able to return.
The Noquemanon Trail west of County Road 510 is closed due to the fire. People are being asked to avoid the area. Two Fire Boss aircraft from Minnesota and a Michigan State Police Aviation Type 2 helicopter are assisting with fire suppression efforts.
The Craig Lake Fire in Baraga County has grown to 30 acres since Friday due to its remote location and difficult terrain. Department of Natural Resources Incident Management Team Public Information Officer Kerry Heckman says the DNR had air support from Minnesota on Saturday and Michigan State Police on Sunday.
Heckman says flight restrictions are in place over the Craig Lake and Ridge fires. Nothing—including personal drones—can fly within a 5-nautical-mile radius around the fire or below 3,500 feet.
Other wildfires the DNR is tracking include one south of Wakefield just east of County Road 519. The U.S. Forest Service—Ottawa National Forest says residents will see smoke in the area and aircraft dipping out of local lakes. Another fire is near Copper Peak, and a third is by Muskallonge Lake in Luce County.
Public Radio 90 will provide updates as they become available.
