Cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity have provided a much-needed boost in the fight against the Ridge Fire in Marquette County and the Craig Lake Fire in Baraga County.
The Ridge Fire, situated approximately 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin, has burned through an estimated 450 acres and is now 20% contained. Despite the progress, the fire’s location in extremely rugged terrain continues to pose significant challenges for suppression crews. Firefighters have focused their efforts on establishing containment lines and accessing areas that can be directly attacked using equipment.
Local landowners have played a crucial role in the firefighting efforts, sharing valuable knowledge about the terrain to aid the DNR crews. This collaboration has significantly enhanced the firefighters’ understanding of the area, contributing to the suppression strategy.
The calmer fire conditions have allowed authorities to lift the evacuation order for residents along County Road 510, who were previously advised to leave their homes due to the fire. Meanwhile, the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive has been de-escalated back to “Ready” status. However, residents are encouraged to stay prepared for any changes in fire activity. The portion of the Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed for public safety.
The Craig Lake Fire, located north of Craig Lake State Park, is estimated to have burned 400 acres and is now 25% contained. Like the Ridge Fire, this wildfire is burning in highly rugged and remote terrain, significantly complicating accessibility for fire crews. Some areas can only be reached on foot, without the possibility of equipment being brought in. DNR firefighters are relying on hand tools to establish containment lines in these particularly challenging areas.
The Ridge Fire currently has a team of 34 DNR firefighters on the ground, while 17 firefighters are actively addressing the Craig Lake Fire. Both fires are being managed with oversight from an 18-person DNR Incident Management Team. Additional support is being provided by the Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Baraga County Emergency Management, and the DNR Law Enforcement Division.
, expressed gratitude for the weather shift that enabled progress but emphasized that safety remains the top priority: “We’re grateful for the changing weather conditions that have allowed us to make some containment progress on both fires,” said Nate Stearns, DNR incident commander. “Public safety and firefighter safety remain our top priority.”
