Two Upper Peninsula wildfires that burned for nearly a month are fully contained, while a third was 85% contained in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Nov. 5 update.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Nov. 5 that the approximately 600-acre Craig Lake Fire in Baraga County and the 350-acre Black River Fire near Wakefield have reached full containment, WBUP/WJMN reported. The Ridge Fire, covering about 500 acres 10 miles northwest of Marquette, was about 85% contained in that update.
Full containment means control lines are in place to prevent further spread; it does not necessarily mean every hot spot is extinguished. The DNR explains containment in its Oct. 18 update.
Heavy rain helped knock down the blazes, according to Keith Murphy, DNR resource protection manager for the Upper Peninsula.
“Recent heavy rainfall has considerably helped extinguish deep pockets of hot spots,” Murphy said. “Upcoming weather, including a forecast with potential snow, will also help in containment.” His remarks appear in the DNR announcement published by The Outdoor Wire.
All three fires were detected in early October. A DNR pilot detected the Craig Lake Fire on Oct. 8 at the north end of Craig Lake State Park. The DNR confirmed a lightning strike caused it. The Black River Fire, 4 miles south of Wakefield, was detected Oct. 11. Lightning also caused that blaze. The U.S. Forest Service initially managed the Black River Fire before the DNR took over Oct. 13. The agency detailed the fires’ discovery and management history Oct. 16 and confirmed both lightning causes Oct. 18.
The Ridge Fire was spotted Oct. 9. It sits north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. Its cause remains under investigation.
The three blazes, managed together as the Rugged Terrain Complex, had kept firefighters busy for weeks. On Oct. 16, the Craig Lake and Black River fires were each at 70% containment and the Ridge Fire stood at 40%, according to the DNR’s update that day. In a separate Oct. 28 update, the DNR reported that winds had expanded the Ridge Fire by about 30 acres.
The Ridge Fire had also prompted the DNR and Marquette County Sheriff’s Office to place residents along North Basin Drive under a “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation protocol in mid-October. That “Ready” status was lifted Oct. 19 after rain and cooler weather helped crews establish containment lines, according to SooLeader.
Fire officials continue to monitor the Ridge Fire. The DNR urged residents to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before burning yard debris or starting a campfire and to keep a water source accessible.
