Crews battle 3,000+-acre wildfire, Gov. activates state of emergency
GRAYLING TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Fire crews are battling a more than 3,000-acre wildfire in Crawford County.
The Michigan DNR says crews are working to contain the fire that’s about four miles southeast of Grayling, near Staley Lake Road.
State police say the fire is traveling southwest toward I-75, and threatening several buildings. Evacuations are underway.
Beaver Creek Township Hall and Grayling Middle School are both accepting evacuees.
Michigan State Police shut down parts of I-75 a little before 6 p.m. Saturday.
There are several closures in place:
Northbound and southbound lanes of I-75 between 4 Mile Road Exit 251 to Down River Road Exit 256
Staley Lake Road from M-72 to 4 Mile Road
Wildnerness Trail from Keystone Landing Road to Staley Lake Road
Staley Lake Beach and Neff Lake Beach
The DNR says to avoid the area so crews can work on suppressing the fire.
Meanwhile, a temporary flight restriction is in place for a five-mile perimeter around the fire at heights below 5,000 feet— do not fly aircraft or drones in this area.
Michigan State Police released photos of the fire from its Aviation Unit helicopter:
Michigan State Police
The wildfire continues to produce an abundance of smoke.
Visibility may be reduced, so make sure you drive careful through affected areas.
The DNR says you should limit exposure to wildfire smoke by staying inside with all doors and windows closed, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Michigan State Police
The DNR says ground crews, heavy equipment, a Michigan State Police helicopter, four USDA Forest Service fire boss planes and a Type 1 helicopter are helping to suppress the fire.
Right now, aircraft is scooping water from Neff Lake, Shellenbarger Lake and Lake Margrethe.
Investigators are working to figure out how exactly the fire started.
Meanwhile, in Iosco County, a forest fire is burning on around 250-300 acres.
The governor's office says the fire is contained and crews continue to monitor the area as a precaution.
The fire evacuated five people who should be able to return to their homes Saturday night.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Oeprations Center (SEOC) Saturday due to the wildfire in Crawford County and another in Iosco County.
The SEOC was operational by 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD).
SEOC personnel are monitoring the situation and working with state and local officials, as well as private sector partners, to make sure all resource needs are met.
"[Saturday], I am activating our State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to the wildfires in northern Michigan," Governor Whitmer said. "By taking this action, we can ensure state and local first responders have what they need to get this fire contained and prevent loss of life or property. I want to thank the first responders who have been working to keep Michiganders safe."
The DNR has the following reminders as Michigan experiences unprecedented hot and dry conditions for this time of year:
Never leave a fire unattended— even for a moment
Always check here to see if conditions permit open burning
Put out fires completely with water— drench, stir with a shovel and drench again
Do not park hot equipment over dry grass on the road because the grass can ignite
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Source: FOX 17 West Michigan News
