GRAYLING – The Michigan DNR announced minutes ago the Wilderness Trail Fire in Grayling is 100 percent contained and all local roads are reopened.
Officials are asking the public to avoid the area if possible to give remaining firefighters the chance to stamp out hotspots.
“We know it’s interesting to see and that people are curious, but we want to make sure we have the room to get our work done safely,” said DNR Spokesman Mike Janisse.
The fire started about 1 p.m. Saturday near Staley Lake, escaping from a campfire on private property. The fire burned in a southwest direction through jack pine, mixed pine and Oak. The blaze caused the evacuation of about 300 people through Saturday night. I-75 was closed in both directions Saturday afternoon and evening as well.
Officials have not identified the property.
Fire danger remains very high to extreme across the state. The DNR is not issuing permits for open burning at this time. If you must build a campfire or cooking fire, keep it small. Make sure you drench it with water, stir and drench again until it is cold to the touch before leaving it.
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- The forest fire in Crawford County. Photo is courtesy of Tom Akin.
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- Normally the view from Pioneer Hill is crisp and compelling. That is not the case tonight as firefighters continue to battle a 4,600 acre blaze in Crawford County. – Photo by Tracy Constance
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- Emergency personnel use aircraft and heavy equipment to suppress the wildfire. – Courtesy of the Michigan DNR.
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- Outline of the area burning as a result of the Wilderness Trail fire.
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- Firefighters from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources arrived early this afternoon to help battle the blaze. – Photo by Tracy Constance
Fire danger remains high as Michigan. Open burning is prohibited but campfires are not. DNR firefighters statewide have fought more than two dozen fires in the past week.
Agencies assisting with the blaze included: Wisconsin DNR (heavy equipment), Michigan State Police (helicopter), USDA Forest Service (fire planes and helicopter_ , Bureau of Land Management, Grayling Station 2, Grayling Public Safety, Gaylord City Fire Department; and fire departments from Grayling Township, Kalkaska, Blue Lake, Beaver Creek, Markey Township, Higgins Township, Richfield Township, South Branch Township, Frederic Township, Otsego County, Cold Springs and Denton Township.
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Mark Constance can be reached at info@upnorthvoice.com
