Ongoing dry conditions coupled with high temperatures expected for the next several days, fire danger is high or very high across much of Northern Michigan, according to state officials.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging those who plan to play outdoors this weekend to take precautions against starting wildfires.
“With conditions this dry, a lot of different things can set off fires,” said Jeff Vasher, DNR fire specialist. “A spark from a campfire can do it. Heat from an ORV or equipment can do it. A chain dragging from a trailer can do it, or a downed power line.”
RELATED: Michigan hasn’t been this dry at this point in growing season since good data started in 2000
Even if grass is green, it may still be dry and spread fire, he said. Stands of pine trees are also very dry, especially in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
In the past week or so, DNR firefighters have responded to fires ranging from small, a few acres, to the Colfax Fire, which decimated 378 acres of state and private forest lands over the course of four days last week. Since the 2021 season began, DNR firefighters have responded to more than 200 wildfires with over 2,000 acres burned.
RELATED: Northern Michigan wildfire continues to burn on third day, now 78% contained
People cause about 90% of wildfires in the state, according to the DNR. If a fire gets out of hand, call 911 immediately.
Here are some tips to keep activities “fire-safe:”
- Do not leave campfires unattended; extinguish them completely. Dump water on the fire, stir it and then carefully feel to ensure there’s no heat. Always have a water source and shovel nearby when a fire is burning. Campfires should be built only inside a ring of 3 feet or less in diameter.
- Do not shoot fireworks into the woods or dry grass (remember green grass can be dry and ignite). When using fireworks, douse the grass with a hose and keep the hose on hand.
- Used sparklers should go in a bucket of water as the hot wires could spark a fire.
- When using ORVs or other outdoor equipment, take steps to minimize sparks and keep hot equipment away from grass and brush. Ride ORVs only on trails to avoid starting a grass fire.
For more information on fire management, including fire prevention tips and more, visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.
Burn permits for yard debris will not be issued in many areas through the weekend; check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit in northern Michigan. In the southern Lower Peninsula, contact local municipal or fire authorities.
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June 04, 2021 at 10:28PM
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Fire danger high across Northern Michigan: ‘A spark from a campfire can do it’ - MLive.com
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