MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – As crews battle to suppress and contain three rugged terrain complex wildfires in the Upper Peninsula, officials have confirmed the cause of two of those fires.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a lightning strike has been confirmed as the cause of the Black River Fire. Last week, lightning was also the confirmed cause of the Craig Lake Fire. The cause of the Ridge Fire remains under investigation.
By interpreting micro and macro indicators, trained wildland fire investigators began to understand the fires’ origins. Information from recent weather events, lightning strike maps, and longer-term fire risk indicators were reviewed while containment efforts continued. As containment of the fire progresses and safer conditions exist, investigators will use site-specific observations to trace burn patterns back to the origin of the fire, where they can better isolate indicators of cause.
“The way an individual leaf curls or ‘freezes’ in the heat, the direction the grass stems fall or the angle of char on tree trunks can lead us back to where the fire started,” said Deputy Incident Commander Jennifer Hansen. “We study these details to help determine the cause.”
In the Black River Fire, now 70% contained, the charring pattern on a group of cedar trees led investigators to confirm lightning as the cause. Lightning was also the cause of the Craig Lake Fire, now 90% contained.
Containment is the status of a wildfire suppression action indicating that a control line has been completed around a fire and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread. Containment can be created by natural features on the landscape like wetlands or rivers, or existing infrastructure including roads or power line clearings. Where those do not exist, firefighters work to establish containment lines using bulldozers and plows, or hand tools in locations too difficult for heavy equipment to access.
Craig Lake Fire
As of October 18, the Craig Lake Fire is 90% contained. North of Craig Lake proper and the Teddy Lake Yurt, Craig Lake State Park remains closed through the end of October to ensure the safety of the public during ongoing wildfire suppression efforts. The remainder of Craig Lake State Park is open to the public.
Black River Fire
In Gogebic County, the public is advised to avoid the area of the Black River Fire to protect everyone’s safety.
Ridge Fire
The Ridge Fire is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. The Ridge Fire estimate remains at 466 acres with 50% containment.
On Monday, 73 firefighters continue work at all three fires. A DNR Incident Management Team is managing the complex. Additional support is being provided by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, Marquette National Weather Service, Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management, Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, Gogebic County Emergency Management, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigamme-Spurr Fire Department, Bessemer Township Fire Department, Wakefield City Fire Department and DNR Law Enforcement Division.
As always, the DNR reminds the public to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and to have an accessible water source nearby. For additional fire safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.
