CRAWFORD CO. -- UPDATE at 9:00 AM Thursday
Rainfall is helping fire crews in the effort to put out hotspots after a wildfire burned 817 acres in Crawford County.
The fire was sparked by a lightning strike Monday and caused evacuations when it spread through the jack pine tree forest area Tuesday.
About 100 homes were evacuated due to the fire concerns. Five homes had exterior damage to siding. Two outbuildings were destroyed and one campter trailer was damaged.
Howes Lake Road and Manistee River Road are back open.
UPDATE at 1:30 PM Wednesday
A lightning strike has been determined to be the cause of the fire. The Department of Natural Resources tells us Monday, a lightning bolt hit a Jack Pine. The tree smoldered throughout the night, and on Tuesday, the high temperatures and strong winds ignited the flame. The strike ended up destroying 817 acres.
UPDATE at 9:50 AM Wednesday
The fire is 100 percent contained - which means there is a line around the perimeter of the fire.
Crews are still battling spot fires within the burned area and they are also working on putting out hot spots.
Howes Lake Road is still closed
Manistee River Road is only open to residents
The DNR reports 817 acres burned. This number was taken by plane and using a GPS - so it's the most accurate calcualation of the damage.
One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion Tuesday but is doing well.
Two outbuildings were destroyed
Five homes had exterior damage to the siding
One camper trailer was destroyed
No animals are reported to have been hurt.
The DNR also confirms the burning was in a northern direction Tuesday and slightly to the east.
UPDATE at 10:35 PM
From Crawford County:
The fire is 80 percent contained. Most fire personnel are being released by midnight and will return to the scene tomorrow morning. Some crews will remain on the scene during the night monitoring conditions. The fire burned approximately 800 acres. 3 out buildings were destroyed. Several homes sustained damage to siding but no major buildings destroyed. One minor injury reported.
UPDATE at 10:05 PM
Manistee River Road residents, along with people who live on the roads that meet up with Manistee River Road, have been allowed to go back to their homes tonight. Only residents will be allowed to go into the area. DNR Spokesman Jack Pilon says the next update will be available after eight tomorrow morning.
UPDATE at 9:15 PM
HowesLakeWildfire is estimated at 750-800 acres, it is 80% contained. Crews on the ground think we'll reach 100% containment by midnight. 100 homes evacuated, 1-2 outbuildings lost. 5 houses sustained siding damage from heat, one travel trailer damaged.
UPDATE at 7:45 PM
The DNR reports: The fire is contained west of Manistee River Road. Fire officials are still monitoring the situation and will be on scene through out the night. The evacuation order remains in place.
The structures that have burned are not believed to have been homes.
The wind is expected to shift tonight and fire crews say that will help keep the fire contained.
UPDATE at 7:00 PM
From the Crawford County Emergency Managment: 800 acres burned with numerous outbuildings lost.
At this time the fire HAS not crossed Manistee River Road
Evacuation remains in effect
Agencies at the fire scene include :
Frederic Twsp Fire Dept
Grayling Fire Dept
Lovells Twsp Fire Dept
Camp Grayling Fire Dept
Kalkaska County - 31 FireFighters from various townships
DNR Fire units from various surrounding counties
Crawford County Sheriff's Office
Grayling Police Dept
Michigan State Police units
DNR Conservation Officers
UPDATE at 6:55 PM
The fire is still not contained at this time. Many residents are spending the night at the Resurrection Life Church in Grayling. 7 & 4's Andrew Keller is heading to the shelter to find out how people are dealing with the evacuation. Updates will continue to be posted as details are released by the DNR.
UPDATE at 6:06 PM
Directly from the DNR. The fire is heading NE toward Goose Creek State Forest Campground. 100 homes evacuated, One outbuilding lost at this time.
UPDATE at 5:55 PM
7 & 4's Andrew Keller reports the DNR just returned from evaluating the situation from the air. Crews used a GPS to get an exact calculation of the acres burning and it stands at 750 acres at this time.
The fire is NOT contained.
Manistee River Road and Howes Lake South is closed through to County Road 612. County Road 612 is NOT closed as earlier indicated. The fire is moving in a northeast direction.
UPDATE at 5:30 PM
The DNR reports no homes have been destroyed by the wildfire at this time.
The Red Cross is now at Resurrection Life church with food, assisting evacuees.
UPDATE at 5:20 PM
At least 30 DNR fire personnel on scene, working with local fire depts. The Department of Natural Resources has deployed 7 tractor plows, 2 skidders and 5 engines.
This is from the DNR on the situation:
The wildfire in northwest Crawford County has spread to more than 1,000 acres. It is heading to the northeast. Manistee River Road between M-72 and County Rd. 612 is closed and being evacuated. Please do not attempt to enter that area, give our crews the space they need to get the job done.
UPDATE at 5:05 PM
The DNR is asking the general public to stay clear of the wildfire area. The area of focus is northwestern Crawford County between M-72 and County Road 612.
Manistee River Rd between M-72 & County Rd 612 is being evacuated.
A new shelter has been set up at:
Grayling's Resurrection Life Church
2640 W M 72 Hwy
Grayling
Frederic Township Hall
7564 W County Road 612
Frederic
UPDATE at 4:45 PM
Emergency management crews with Crawford County say the fire is moving in a northwesterly direction.
You can view a map of the area by CLICKING HERE.
UPDATE at 4:20 PM
New reports from the fire scene - officials report the fire has grown to 1,000 acres. Fire crews are going door to door to evacuate residents.
School officials report there are a few students who were not able to be dropped off at home. They are safely at the elementary school.
A shelter has been set up at the following locations:
Frederic Township Hall
7564 W County Road 612
Frederic
7&4's Andrew Keller says he's talked with a family who lives off of Manistee River Road who looked out their door and saw 15 foot flames about 1/4 mile from their home. The family started going door to door to warn their neighbors and evacuate the area.
UPDATE at 4:17 PM
The 250-plus acre wildfire is 'crowning' (spreading tree top to tree top). Winds are relatively calm, but conditions are dry, this is jack pine forest.
UPDATE at 4:05 PM
Students who live off of Manistee River Road who are on buses are being brought back to Grayling Elementary.
7&4's Lauren Amstutz is at the scene and says the fire is moving from tree top to tree top at this time. The fire is growing quickly.
UPDATE at 4:00 PM
The wildfire has now grown to 250 acres.
Crews are now expanding the evacuation area. Residents on Chipmunk Train off of Manistee River Road are being evacuated. Families are taking at Frederic Twp Fire Hall
From Michigan Department of Natural Resources WILDFIRE NOTICE:
A 250-plus acre wildfire, west of Grayling and north of M-72 near Howes Lake, has been reported. They have five conservation officers on scene coordinating the evacuation of some residents. The fire teams are mobilized and responding. Follow their Twitter feed @michiganDNR for latest info.
UPDATE at 3:40 PM
The fire has grown to 150 acres.
A witness near the scene says the fire is between:
Howes Lake Road and Manistee River Road
M-72 and Co Road 612
This area is about 7 miles west of Grayling in Crawford County. Manistee River Road area is under evacuation and there are road closures surrounding the fire scene.
UPDATE at 3:00 PM:
UpNorthLive has confirmed residents are being evacuated who live near the fire scene. The evacuations are underway on Manistee River Road which is off of M-72.
We have also confirmed that the fire has crowned in the tree tops, which is a major concern in batttling this blaze.
POSTED at 2:30 PM:
Firefighters with the Department of Natural Resources are on scene of a wildfire on the Kalkaska-Crawford County line.
UpNorthLive is told the fire is off of M-72 and is about 15 acres. Crews have set up a staging area to try and get the fire under control.
Chief Meteorologist Mark Watkins says the wind is coming from the south with gusts up to 18 mph. The heat is a big concern with the high temperatures drying out the atmosphere and the ground quickly.
We have a crew heading to the scene and will update this story as more information is available.
