Mother Nature gives DNR firefighters a boost: Progress made on containment of Ridge, Craig Lake fires
Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity helped to calm fire activity on both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire in Marquette and Baraga counties Monday. DNR firefighters took advantage of the assistance from the weather and were able to make progress on containment efforts on both fires.
The Ridge Fire, located 10 miles northwest of Marquette and north of the Dead River Basin, is now estimated to be 450 acres and 20% contained. The very rugged terrain that the fire is burning in presents significant challenges to suppression efforts. Firefighters are focusing on gaining access to areas where they can directly attack the fire, as well as establishing containment lines where they can gain access with equipment. The cooperation of local landowners working with DNR firefighters to provide local knowledge of the landscape has been immensely helpful in building firefighter knowledge of the area, assisting in suppression efforts.
The calmer fire activity and progress made by firefighters resulted in the lifting of the evacuation order for the residents along County Road 510 who were previously evacuated. The status of the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive was also shifted back to “Ready” status. Residents are encouraged to continue to be prepared in case conditions change. The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed.
The Craig Lake Fire north of Craig Lake State Park is now estimated to be 400 acres and 25% contained. In addition to burning in extremely rugged terrain, this fire is also in a very remote area, making access very challenging for firefighters. Portions of the fire area are only accessible on foot without the possibility of gaining access with fire equipment. Firefighters are using hand tools to establish containment lines where they are able to gain access.
A shift in direction to a north wind has resulted in heavy wildfire smoke blanketing communities and the region south of both fires. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an air quality alert for Baraga, Marquette, Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties, forecasting both “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and “Unhealthy” levels of pollution. It is recommended to watch for new or worsening symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath and reduce long or intense outdoor activities. View the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services wildfire smoke fact sheet to learn more about protecting indoor air during wildfire smoke events.
A temporary flight restriction, or TFR, remains in place over both the Ridge Fire and Craig Lake Fire for a 5-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to please avoid the area around both fires so that suppression efforts are not interrupted. Drones are not permitted in the fire area as they will bring air operations to a halt.
“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.”
The DNR currently has 34 firefighters on the ground on the Ridge Fire and 17 firefighters on the ground on the Craig Lake Fire. An 18-person DNR Incident Management Team is managing both fires. Additional support is being provided by Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Baraga County Emergency Management and DNR Law Enforcement Division.
The fires were both spotted by a DNR pilot Friday, Oct. 9, with the Craig Lake Fire discovered at 1:48 p.m. and the Ridge Fire discovered at 3:55 p.m.; the cause of both fires is still under investigation.
As always, the DNR reminds people to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and to have an accessible water source nearby. For more fire safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.
Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available for download below. All photos/video courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Photos show burned areas and smoke on the eastern flank of the Ridge Fire, looking west/northwest, just west of County Road 510 in Marquette County. All photos were taken around 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12.
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