ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI – Firefighters are working to contain a wildfire that’s been burning since Sunday afternoon, Oct. 5, near the Roscommon State Forest Area.
Crews hope to contain the fire by the end of the day Monday, Oct. 6, said Jeff Vasher, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lower Peninsula resource protection manager.
They currently have about 75% of the wildfire surrounded, but are working to secure a marsh area with low elevation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
It was first reported on Sunday near the Clare and Roscommon county line, according to the release.
The fire has spread to approximately 85 acres of forest. The area has a mix of hardwood and pine trees. Fire crews have struggled to contain the wildfire due to dry and windy conditions.
“Crews have been working through difficult terrain to contain the fire,” Vasher said. “High winds have made suppression challenging, but firefighters are holding the lines and continuing to reinforce containment.”
DNR fire crews, local fire departments, drone aircrafts and bulldozers are all on scene to assist the suppression operations, according to the release.
“We are currently experiencing severe drought conditions across the mid-to-lower peninsula,” Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist, said in a statement. “While there is some chance of rain tonight and tomorrow, expected rainfall amounts will not be enough to ease the drought or reduce the overall fire danger.”
Fire safety information is available on the Department of Natural Resources website at this link.
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