Kalkaska Co. Fire Started As Controlled Pre-Burn

May 20, 2010
 A forest fire in Kalkaska County, within the Camp Grayling National Guard base, started out as a controlled pre-burn, according to fire officials. KALKASKA COUNTY, Mich. --  A forest fire in Kalkaska County, within the Camp Grayling National Guard base, started out as a controlled pre-burn, according to fire officials. Major Dawn Dancer, of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said the organized burn got out of control as winds picked up Tuesday afternoon.

 A forest fire in Kalkaska County, within the Camp Grayling National Guard base, started out as a controlled pre-burn, according to fire officials.

KALKASKA COUNTY, Mich. --

A forest fire in Kalkaska County, within the Camp Grayling National Guard base, started out as a controlled pre-burn, according to fire officials.

Major Dawn Dancer, of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said the organized burn got out of control as winds picked up Tuesday afternoon.

Dancer said the DNR was aware of the controlled burn and approved it.

The forest service said the fire was fairly large and a helicopter was sent in to drop about 1,500 gallons of water in an effort to combat the blaze.

The fire was contained around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Officials said the blaze has no chance of merging with the bigger fire burning near Grayling.

In all, nearly 1,200 acres caught fire and four unoccupied summer cottages were destroyed.

Dancer the National Guard legal department is working with any civilian claims.

Twenty-four people were evacuated because of the flames.

No injuries to humans or livestock have been reported.

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