MENOMINEE COUNTY, Mich., (WWJ) - A fire that roared to life last Thursday has tested firefighters in the Upper Peninsula who have been working tirelessly to control the blaze -- now help from around the state is on the way.
The executive director of the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, Trent Atkins, told WWJ's Beth Fisher that they've sent 30 firefighters and equipment to the location of the paper mill fire in Menominee, Mich. at Resolute Forest Products near the Michigan - Wisconsin border.
According to a spokesperson from Resolute Forest Products, the fire originated in a warehouse that contained pulp and waste paper.
"We received a call on Sunday asking for assistance in moving some fire resources to support the efforts up there as well as to give the firefighters a little break so they could get some rest," Atkins said.
Fire crews will be working 12 hour shifts in an effort to control the blaze. The teams are expected to work through Thursday, but additional crews may be called as needed.
Fire stations in the U.P. as well as resources from Oakland, Macomb and Livingston Counties have all responded to the call for help.
"We sent two fire engines out of the Grand Traverse area. We sent one engine out of Crawford County. We sent a ladder truck from West Bloomfield and a ladder truck from Livingston County," Atkins explained.
A drone from Macomb County was also called up to help assist fire crews.
The group met up in Gaylord on Monday before traveling to the site in Menominee County together.
So far, officials have reported no injuries.
