MI Wildfire Largely Contained After Burning Thousands Of Acres: DNR

GRAYLING, MI — Fire officials have mostly contained a large wildfire burning in the Upper Peninsula, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Officials said crews, including a group from Wisconsin, have contained roughly 90 percent Wilderness Trail Fire that has scorched over 2,400 acres in the Grayling area.

Officials believe the fire threatened 35 homes, 38 vehicles, including 23 campers and three boats, and 58 outbuildings. At least three outbuildings were destroyed by the fire, officials said.

The fire started Saturday at 1 p.m. and quickly encompassed 3,000 acres, burning four miles southeast of Grayling near Staley Lake Road, closing portions of Interstate 75 and prompting evacuations, officials said.

On Saturday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center, provided crews with the resources needed to control and extinguish the blaze.

Officials said a campfire on private land started the blaze. Moreover, officials said people burning yard debris is the top wildfire cause in Michigan, causing nine out of every 10 wildfires.

State officials are not issuing burn permits, as conditions remain dry, and fire risk is very high or extreme across much of the state.

"There’s not enough rain today to make a significant reduction in fire danger," commander of the DNR Incident Management Team that is assisting with the fire Mike Janisse said. "Even though it feels cooler, conditions are very dry and extreme fire conditions are expected to continue in the Grayling area and around the state."

Officials urged people to use an abundance of caution if they are making a campfire or a cooking fire. Keep a water source nearby and never leave any fire unattended, even for a moment. You can learn more fire safety tips at Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.