© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Firefighters take on wildfire in Marquette County

Department of Natural Resources
Some of the roughly 70 acres burned in Marquette County fire Thursday, July 30.

A wildfire has spread to roughly 70 acres at a logging operation in Marquette County. Department of Natural Resources and township firefighters had the fire 60 percent contained by Thursday night. 

Containment efforts will continue today. The cause has not been determined.

The danger of wildfires is high to extremely high in Michigan right now. 

Chris Peterson, the fire and aviation staff officer for the Huron-Manistee National Forests, says, "We're all hingent upon mother nature and rainfall and for the last month or so it hasn’t been very promising on us getting those steady summer rains. So that’s allowed our grasses and fine fuels to start to turn brown."

It’s not just the lack of rainfall that’s creating perfect conditions for fires to catch and spread. It’s been hot and windy too.

People cause 99 percent of wildfires.

"Nice weather brings people out," says Peterson. "So that in turn increases our fire potential here."

Peterson says on windy days it’s best to not make a fire, but if you must light one "always maintain them, stay with them and have the proper tools and water to put it out."

Since January, 135 fires have been contained in the area, says Peterson. That’s on track to meet the average of 150 fire responses per year.

Right now the weather forecast calls for some rain on Monday, but we could be set for high fire danger next week as well.