MI Wildfire Burns 85 Acres

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI — Fire crews on Tuesday were battling a wildfire in northern Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The fire started early Sunday afternoon east of Old U.S. Highway 27, near the border of Clare and Roscommon counties, officials said.

Officials said the fire is roughly 85 acres in a dry, marshy area of mixed pine and hardwood forest. Gusty winds were making it difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze, but have it have 95 percent under control, officials said.

Officials do not know what started the fire.

"Crews have been working through difficult terrain to contain the fire," Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lower Peninsula resource protection manager Jeff Vasher said. "High winds have made suppression challenging, but firefighters are holding the lines and continuing to reinforce containment."

Officials said fire danger in Northern Michigan is either "very high" or "high," due to warm temperatures, low humidity and extremely dry vegetation. They urged residents to avoid outdoor burning and asked campers to use extreme caution with any outdoor heat or spark sources.

Burn permits were suspended on Friday to help prevent additional wildfires.

"We are currently experiencing severe drought conditions across the mid-to-lower peninsula," DNR fire prevention specialist Paul Rogers said. "While there is some chance of rain tonight and tomorrow, expected rainfall amounts will not be enough to ease the drought or reduce the overall fire danger."