GRAYLING, MICH. (WWJ) Crews from nearly 20 federal, state and local agencies are still struggling to combat a huge wildfire in northern Michigan, just east of Grayling.
Since breaking out Saturday afternoon, it has spread to more than 3,000 acres, and over three square miles, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced she activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the fire.
“By taking this action, we can ensure state and local first responders have what they need to get this fire contained and prevent loss of life or property,” she announced on Twitter. “I want to thank the first responders who have been working to keep Michiganders safe.”
The DNR said the wildfire, called the Wilderness Trail Fire, was started by a camp fire on private property. The flames broke out just after 1 p.m. Saturday near Staley Lake Rd., about four miles southeast of Grayling.
As it moved southwest, it threatened buildings. Residents were forced to evacuate their homes. A local middle school gymnasium and township hall provided shelter to those who were displaced. Officials lifted the evacuation order about ten hours later.
As of Sunday morning, crews estimate the fire is 85% contained.
“Contained does not mean out,” DNR spokesperson Laurie Abel told WWJ. “It means that we still got an active fire. We’ve still got road closures. We still got a lot of active fire activity going on…but we are trying to get a line around it so it doesn’t spread and get any bigger, so we can just handle what we’ve got.”
The Michigan State Police, The USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Natural Resources and more than a dozen local fire departments are helping with the response.
“We used the State Police helicopters to dump water on it…we used a lot of air support, as well as a ton of ground support, and we’re using that again today,” Abel said.
She urged those driving in the area to do so cautiously because the smoke will cause low visibility. You can see a map of road closures here.
“(The fire) did not get to where you can see it from I-75. There is still a lot of smoke though, and the smoke is moving… to the west. The smoke crosses I-75… “ Abel said. “Make sure you can see ahead of you.”
No injuries, or damage to homes or businesses, have been reported at this time; according to the DNR.
The Michigan DNR is once again warning that fire danger is “extreme” today (Sunday).
“Please be safe,” they said on Twitter. “And help us keep other wildfires from breaking out.”