CHIPPEWA COUNTY (WWJ) - Officials are urging residents to steer clear as they work to contain and extinguish a wildfire that kindled in an eastern section of the Upper Peninsula.
The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office first posted to Facebook on Tuesday, Aug. 15, just before 9 p.m. informing the public that crews were responding to a fire located off Vermillion Road, north of the Vermillion and Dam Road intersection in Whitefish Township.
Whitefish Twp. is located in the northeastern portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the western side of Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, about 60 miles when traveling by vehicle from Sault Ste. Marie and 55 miles north of the Mackinac Bridge.
Deputies are being assisted by multiple fire agencies including Whitefish Fire, Hulbert Fire and two Michigan DNR Fire units.
"This is an active scene and we ask everyone to stay out of the area," officials warned.
At 10:45 p.m., the sheriff's office provided a second update stating Michigan State Police and equipment from Bay Mills Police Department had arrived at the scene while the DNR deployed bulldozers and air support to help crews on the ground.
"We hope the calm winds continue until the fire is completely out," deputies stated. "However the fire scene is still active as efforts will continue throughout the night."
The sheriff's office so far believes the fire isn't threatening any homes in the area.
It is not currently known what caused the fire. An update on efforts is expected to be released later in the day.
Related
