The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says wildfire danger is expected to be high or very high across much of northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, and residents are being asked to take precautions when working and playing outside. DNR spokesman Don Klinger told Michigan News Network the number one cause of wildfires is the burning of debris.
“People burning leaves or brush, and we encourage you to check the website for burning permits to see if we’re issuing,” Klinger said. “I can say that right now, we’re not issuing any burning permits across all of northern lower Michigan and I don’t believe the UP is right now as well. Conditions are just such that things are getting close to where wildfires are going to be almost explosive.”
DNR wildland firefighters battled a total of 273 fires on more than 2,300 acres statewide during 2021.
