Craig Lake Fire at 50% containment
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UPPER PENINSULA -- Wildfires continue to burn across the Upper Peninsula as firefighters get closer to containment.
As of Wednesday, the Ridge Fire was estimated to be 434 acres and 20% contained. That fire is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin, west of Marquette County Road 510. The cause of the Ridge Fire remains under investigation.
"The cooperation of area landowners continues to provide critical information to assist firefighters in gaining necessary access and knowledge of the landscape," said a statement from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The Craig Lake Fire, located north of Craig Lake State Park, is now estimated at 604 acres and is 50% contained. The cause of that fire has been confirmed as a lightning strike.
"There were multiple storms that produced lightning strikes across the Upper Peninsula between Oct. 5-8," said a statement from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "It is not unusual for a lightning strike to smolder for a few days before weather conditions, such as high winds, cause it to spread into dry fuels resulting in wildfire."
On Wednesday, the DNR had 41 firefighters on the ground on the Ridge Fire and 24 firefighters on the ground on the Craig Lake Fire. A 21-person DNR Incident Management Team is managing both fires. Additional support is being provided by the U.S. Forest Service, Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management, Baraga County Emergency Management, Michigamme-Spurr Fire Department and DNR Law Enforcement Division.
The status of the "Ready, Set, Go!" protocol for residents along North Basin Drive remains at "Ready" status. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on Marquette County Road 510 remains closed.
A temporary flight restriction remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire for a 5-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to avoid areas around the 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.
The DNR has temporarily closed Craig Lake State Park north of Craig Lake and the Teddy Lake Yurt through the end of October. The North Country Trail within Craig Lake State Park has also been closed due to ongoing fire suppression operations. The remainder of Craig Lake State Park is open to the public.
The Black River Fire, located 4 miles south of Wakefield, was 382 acres and 50% contained as of Wednesday. The cause of that fire remains under investigation.
"It is burning in a densely forested area with difficult access," said the DNR.
"We're grateful for the efforts of the U.S. Forest Service on the initial attack of the Black River Fire, said Keith Murphy, DNR Incident Command. "We appreciate their continued assistance, along with that of the Minnesota DNR and Wisconsin DNR. It's been a truly cooperative effort to achieve 50% containment of this fire."
As always, the DNR reminds people to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and to have an accessible water source nearby. For more fire safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.