A deadly wildfire in northern Michigan has burned at least 3,600 acres, prompting evacuations and forcing the closure of a nearby highway as the blaze burns west and southwest, officials said Saturday. Several buildings are at risk.
The fire is centered in Grayling Township, about 50 miles from Traverse City.
The Wilderness Trail fire in Crawford County started about 1 p.m. about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) southeast of Staley Lake in Grayling Township, the Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.
The fire had burned 2,400 acres (3.75 square miles) before midnight, Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Kathleen LaVey said.
According to the statement, firefighters are attacking the blaze from the ground and air, with aircraft draining water from Neff Lake, Shellenberger Lake and Margaret Lake.
Crawford County Sheriff Ryan Swope said power was shut off in the area to protect firefighters working under power lines.
It is not yet known what caused the fire, the statement said.
The fires are burning as Michigan is seeing “unprecedentedly” hot and dry conditions for this time of year, setting the stage for extreme fire danger, the statement said.
Thick smoke has engulfed the area and the department has warned nearby residents to limit exposure by closing windows and staying indoors.
The Department of Natural Resources also said visibility on roads could be reduced.
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said in a tweet that warm temperatures, low humidity, strong winds and dry fuels will all increase the risk of wildfires.
The Red Cross responded to help those who were evacuated and set up a shelter at Beaver Creek Township Hall.
Emergency response teams from the U.S. Forest Service, federal Bureau of Land Management and Michigan police and fire departments, along with the Department of Natural Resources, are responding to the fire with ground crews, airplanes, helicopters and heavy equipment, the statement said. Keep working for control.
It is not yet known what sparked the deadly fire.
A temporary flight ban was imposed for a 5-mile (8-km) radius around the fire below 5,000 feet (1,534 meters), the statement added.