Weather conditions aid in the containment of U.P. fires
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MARQUETTE -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced that the Craig Lake and Black River fires -- two of three Upper Peninsula fires that started last month -- now are fully contained.
The Ridge Fire just north of Marquette is about 85% contained.
“Recent heavy rainfall has considerably helped extinguish deep pockets of hot spots,” said Keith Murphy, DNR resource protection manager for the Upper Peninsula. “Upcoming weather, including a forecast with potential snow, will also help in containment.”
The 600-acre Craig Lake Fire, located at the north end of Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County, was detected by a DNR pilot Oct. 8 and later confirmed to be caused by a lightning strike.
The 350-acre Black River Fire, located 4 miles south of Wakefield, was detected Oct. 11 and initially managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The DNR took over management of the fire Oct. 13. It also was caused by lightning.
The Ridge Fire, about 500 acres, is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette, north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. It was spotted by a DNR pilot Oct. 9; the cause remains under investigation.
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.