Fire crews worked through the night to contain the estimated 2,400-acre Wilderness Trail Fire in Crawford County which closed I-75 for much of Saturday.
The fire started around 1 p.m. about 4 miles southeast of Grayling near Staley Lake in Grayling Township.
Among those assisting with the fire were state police, the USDA Forest Service, the Gaylord City Fire Department and fire departments from a dozen nearby communities.
Ground crews, heavy equipment, a Michigan State Police helicopter, and four USDA Forest Service fire boss planes and a Type 1 helicopter were also assigned to help suppress the fire.
The fire cause was not yet available, Michigan's Department of Natural Resources said in a news release.
The Red Cross has been activated to assist people evacuated from the area to the Beaver Creek Township Hall.
The wildfire has produced an abundance of smoke. Visibility may be reduced on roadways – drive with care in affected areas. Limit exposure to wildfire smoke by staying indoors with windows shut, especially if you have asthma or another respiratory condition.
Previously closed sections of I-75 between 4 Mile Road (exit 251) to North Down River Road (exit 256) were opened, the MDNR said Saturday evening. Check MiDrive for the most up-to-date information on road closings.
Remaining closures:
- Staley Lake Road from M-72 to 4 Mile Road is closed.
- Wilderness Trail from Keystone Landing Road to Staley Lake Road is closed.
- Staley Lake Beach and Kneff Lake Beach are closed.
A temporary flight restriction was in place for a 5-mile perimeter around the fire at heights below 5,000 feet. Do not fly aircraft or drones in the area.
Michigan remains under extreme fire danger conditions following a prolonged stretch of hot and dry weather. Check daily fire danger conditions on the Great Lakes Fire and Fuels map.
The DNR recommends these actions to reduce the risk of wildfire:
- Never leave a fire unattended, even for a moment.
- Check first to see if conditions permit open burning at gov/BurnPermit.
- Always put fires out completely with water. Drench, stir with a shovel and drench again.
- Don't park hot equipment over dry grass on the roadside, which can ignite.
- More information is available at gov/PreventWildfires.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
“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 in a news release.
“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 SEOC was operational at 7 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to the Crawford County fire, multiple fire agencies were responding to a forest fire approximately 250-300 acres in Iosco County.
The fire is contained, and the area will continue to be monitored as a precautionary measure. Five individuals who were evacuated were expected to return to their homes.
