DNR: Crawford County wildfire 90% contained, was sparked by campfire on private property

Grayling Township — A campfire on private property sparked a wildfire in Crawford County over the weekend that at one point spread to 3,000 acres of northern Michigan pine country.

The wildfire, dubbed the Wilderness Trail Fire, started at 1 p.m. Saturday near Staley Lake Road, about 4 miles southeast of Grayling in Grayling Township, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. As of Sunday night, the DNR reported the wildfire as 90% contained after it and partner agencies worked through the night to stop the fire from spreading further.

“The crews were working in hilly, sandy terrain and that was difficult,” said Mike Janisse, incident commander of the Michigan DNR Incident Management Team, in a statement. “Weather conditions also were hot, dry and windy.”

The wildfire initially moved to the west and southwest, activating emergency personnel to conduct evacuations. The evacuation order was lifted at 11 p.m. Saturday, DNR spokeswoman Laurie Abel said early Sunday morning. There were no reports of injuries, Abel said.

According to the DNR's preliminary estimate, three outbuildings were lost to the fire. It also threatened 35 residences, 38 vehicles, including 23 campers and three boats, and 58 other outbuildings.

Ground crews, heavy equipment, a Michigan State Police helicopter, four USDA Forest Service fire boss planes and a Type 1 helicopter were assigned to help suppress the fire. Aircraft scooped water from Neff Lake, Shellenbarger Lake and Lake Margrethe near the Michigan National Guard's Camp Grayling.

Also assisting was a team of 10 firefighters from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Wisconsin firefighters brought three Type 4 engines with tractor plow dozers and two Type 6 engines to assist with battling the blaze.

The DNR said fire danger remains high to extreme in most of Michigan, and that is expected to continue with current weather conditions. Burn permits for yard debris are not being granted at this time, the DNR said.

“One of the most important things people can do now is to refrain from burning until we get significant rain,” Janisse said.

On Saturday night, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the Crawford County wildfire and a smaller one in Iosca County.

“Today, I am activating our State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate an all-hands-on-deck response to the wildfires in northern Michigan,” Whitmer said in a statement. “By taking this action, we can ensure state and local first responders have what they need to get this fire contained and prevent loss of life or property."

In Iosco County, multiple fire agencies responded to a forest fire of approximately 250-300 acres. The fire was considered contained Saturday night, but "the area will continue to be monitored as a precautionary measure. Five individuals who were evacuated are expected to return to their homes later this evening," according to the governor's office.

Closer to Grayling, Interstate 75, closed Saturday afternoon because of poor visibility due to smoke, reopened shortly before midnight Saturday. The DNR warned drivers should proceed with care as heavy smoke remains in the area.

A temporary flight restriction also was put in place for a 5-mile perimeter around the fire at heights below 5,000 feet. Aircraft and drones were not permitted in the area.

Shelter for evacuees was available at the Grayling Middle School gymnasium and the Beaver Creek Township Hall in Grayling. People who were evacuated from the fire area were allowed to return to their homes late Saturday.

At nearby Beaver Creek Township Hall south of Grayling, the American Red Cross housed two residents who evacuated their home Saturday night, Red Cross volunteer Susan Huffman said.

Just south of where the fire was burning Saturday evening, some campers at the private 216-site Jellystone Park Camp Resort on West 4 Mile Road decided to leave after power was out for three hours, said park operations manager Adam Michels.

“There were some who left just out of anxiety with the wind blowing,” Michels said Sunday.

Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, the local power company, restored electricity to the park at about 8 p.m. Saturday, Michels said.

Abel, the DNR spokeswoman, said 18 agencies assisted in fighting the fire, coordinating temporary evacuations and directing road closures. Among these included the Michigan State Police, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, South Branch Fire Department and Beaver Creek Fire Department personnel.

“We had a fantastic support response,” Abel said.

Freelancer John L. Russell contributed.