225-Acre MI Wildfire Mostly Contained: DNR

MANISTEE, MI — Fire crews have mostly contained a large fire spanning 225 acres in northern Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The wildfire started in Manistee County and already covered 20 acres by the time officials learned of the fire on Sunday, officials said.

The fire then quickly spread to Wexford county, engulfing 225 acres by 9 p.m. Monday night, officials said.

As of Monday night, crews had contained 80 percent of the fire, officials said.

"The fire is fueled by a mix of jack pine, red pine and hardwoods, "DNR Resource Protection Manager Don Klingler said. "The fire danger in the area was extreme due to windy, dry, warm weather and those dry fuels."

The fire promoted 30 people to be evacuated from their homes and has forced some road closures in the area, officials said.

North 1 Road is closed from 8 Road to Faylor Road, and Read Road is closed from Viaduct Road to 3 Road as firefighters continue battling the flames.

Red Cross, Salvation Army and Michigan State Police officials helped evacuate residents from their homes. Some of those residents have been allowed to return home.

Officials said there are 18 firefighters currently on the ground battling the fire. Officials from the United States Forest Service are also at the scene, as well as firefighters from Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Manistee and Wexford counties.