UPDATE:
Michigan Department of Natural Resources say this wildfire is now in Montmorency and Cheboygan Counties, and it is covering an estimated 2,000 acres as of 9 p.m. Friday.
Numerous roads are closed in the area to accommodate firefighting efforts and to protect public safety. They include:
- Blue Lakes Road to East Branch Road
- Black River Road to Camp 30 Road
- Clark Bridge Road to Black River Road
- Blue Lakes Road to Meridian Line Road
- The Black River between Blue Lakes Road and Clark Bridge Road is also closed
Cause for the fire is still under investigation.
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UPDATE:
Fire crews are still working to contain a wildfire in Montmorency County.
They say 1,500 acres have been lost, but no injuries or damage to homes has been reported.
Only one property so far has been evacuated: a property on Black River Ranch where 13 people were evacuated.
There are currently 40 DNR firefighters on the fire now and eight mobile fire departments, including four fire boss planes, on air attack plane, a type 3 helicopter and a DNR spotter plane working to put out the fire.
“Firefighters will be working through the evening tonight to do what they can to try and get containment lines in,” said Kerry Heckman, IMT Public Information Officer. “It helps in the evening there’s higher humidity so the fire lays down a little bit and allows them to make some progress. So they’re going to do what they can to make as much progress as they can tonight and then we’ll get back on it tomorrow.”
The DNR is asking people to stay away from the fire area and stay off the Black River north of Blue Lakes Road.
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Crews are working to put out what appears to be a substantial wildfire in Montmorency County.
Multiple fire departments are working to put out the fire, including four federal planes attacking the fire from the air.
It isn’t clear yet what started the fire, but so far, no injuries or damage to homes has been reported.
Officials are asking people to avoid Blue Lakes, East Branch and Meridian Line Road.
Stay with 9&10 News as we work to bring you more information on this situation.
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