MARQUETTE AND BARAGA COUNTIES, MI— While recent moisture has helped crews build containment lines around the Ridge and Craig Lake fires, it’s brought new hazards: treacherous terrain, deep burning, and falling trees.
The Department of Natural Resources says more than 70 firefighters are battling the Ridge Fire, which is 450 acres and 20 percent contained, and the Craig Lake fire, which has grown to 600 acres and is also 20 percent contained. Officials say this week’s rain has significantly lowered fire activity, but muddy roads and slippery, exposed rock have made access and suppression efforts difficult.
Also, due to ongoing drought conditions, the fires are burning up to two feet deep in the duff layer—the layer of partially decayed organic matter on the forest floor under the loose leaf litter and above mineral soil. That’s weakening root systems and causing green trees to fall without notice.
The DNR has confirmed the cause of the Craig Lake Fire to be a lightning strike that smoldered until high winds caused it to ignite in dry fuels. The cause of the Ridge Fire is still under investigation.
A temporary flight restriction remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire for a five-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to please 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.
