Officials: Fire Danger ‘Very High’ Across Northern Michigan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment says warm, dry weather across northern Michigan means wildfire danger will be “very high” during the Memorial Day weekend.

Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNRE’s Forest Management Division, said in a release that officials are especially concerned about northern pine forests.

Last week firefighters battled a forest fire that burned more than 8,500 acres in Crawford County’s South Branch Township, and a range fire in Kalkaska County.

Officials urge people to keep campfires small, never leave them unattended and completely douse them. Barbecues should be extinguished, and unburned pieces of charcoal should be soaked in water.

The DNRE has responded this year to 264 wildfires. They have consumed a combined 11,051 acres.