Wildfires in the UP
More than 550 acres burned so far
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CRAIG LAKE -- High winds and persistent dry conditions over the weekend have accelerated two separate wildfires in Baraga and Marquette counties, burning a combined 565 acres and prompting local housing evacuations.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) both blazes were officially reported by a DNR spotter pilot Friday. The Craig Lake Fire in Baraga County was identified at 1:48 p.m., followed by the discovery of the Ridge Fire northwest of Marquette at 3:55 p.m.
The Craig Lake Fire, located north of Craig Lake State Park, likely originated from two separate lightning strikes that subsequently merged into a single front. While initially estimated at 16 acres following its discovery, strong southerly wind gusts of up to 40 mph caused the flames to expand through dense timber. The DNR subsequently corrected initial weekend estimates of 30 acres, confirming the Craig Lake footprint has reached more than 300 acres.
Approximately a dozen DNR ground firefighters were reportedly on the scene Monday attempting to clear vegetation down to bare mineral soil to establish a manual containment handline. Ground efforts remain hindered by the extremely rugged backcountry terrain, which has limited vehicular access. Staff from Craig Lake State Park have assisted the effort by opening remote access gates along old logging roads.
Concurrently, emergency crews are suppressing the Ridge Fire, located roughly 10 miles northwest of Marquette between County Road 510 and North Basin Drive. The Ridge Fire has burned an estimated 256 acres of mixed conifers and hardwoods north of the Dead River Basin.
The proximity of the Ridge Fire to local infrastructure prompted the Marquette County Sheriff's Office to execute mandatory evacuations for three residences along County Road 510. The Sheriff’s Office has established an official evacuation center at the Negaunee Township Hall, located at 42 M-35, to accommodate residents if fire conditions quickly change. Nearby residents have been instructed to remain on alert for potential secondary evacuation orders under the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol.
Aerial suppression efforts are currently divided. While a Michigan State Police Type 2 helicopter utilized a collapsible “Bambi Bucket” to drop water over the blazes, two specialized Fire Boss water-scooping aircraft from Hibbing, Minnesota, were deployed to lift water directly out of Lake Michigamme to combat the flames. Air tankers have prioritized hot spots threatening structural lines, leaving the remote Craig Lake fire temporarily unassisted by aircraft due to competing regional fire demands.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in effect within a five-nautical-mile radius of both zones, restricting all civilian aircraft below 3,500 feet. DNR fire prevention specialists reiterated that all personal drone use must remain grounded, noting that unauthorized drone presence forces an immediate suspension of aerial firefighting operations.
On Monday morning, the DNR reported that due to a shift in wind direction overnight, winds are now coming out of the north. As a result, heavy smoke from the Ridge Fire, which is burning north of the Dead River Basin about 10 miles northwest of Marquette, and the Craig Lake Fire burning north of Craig Lake State Park, may be present in Negaunee, Ishpeming, Marquette, Michigamme, the surrounding areas and points south. The presence of heavy smoke this morning is due to a shift in wind direction and is not a result of a significant increase in fire activity.
"If you live, work, or are traveling in the area, be alert about the possibility of heavy smoke," the DNR cautions. "Wildfire smoke may cause coughing, runny nose, or watery eyes. If you have any type of heart or lung disease, excessive wildfire smoke can be dangerous. You can reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke by planning activities indoors and limiting time outside when smoke is heavy."
The DNR warns that fire danger remains at “very high” levels across the mid-Upper Peninsula due to ongoing drought and unseasonably warm temperatures. Heavy smoke and reduced air quality are expected to persist through the day in Negaunee, Ishpeming, Marquette, and Michigamme. The causes of both blazes remain under official investigation.