The Blue Lakes Fire in Northern Michigan is 75% contained and roads are being opened inside the fire zone while officials use drones to identify hot spots on Monday afternoon, May 16, officials said.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been fighting the fire since Friday afternoon, May 13. It was started by a lightning strike Wednesday night that smoldered for a few days before spreading, resulting in the wildfire.
Containment means that the fire is unlikely to spread beyond the containment lines where firefighters have plowed a line down to bare earth – removing all fire fuels – around that portion of the fire, said Kerry Heckman, DNR fire public information officer.
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“There may still be hot spots within the contained area,” she said.
The DNR is using a drone and infrared imaging to identify those hot spots that need attention, Heckman said.
Today’s estimate of 2,200 acres is smaller than what was estimated on Sunday due to improved mapping, she said.
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The uncontained portion of the Blue Lakes Fire line is primarily in low, wet areas that are difficult for firefighters to reach. Crews will be working today in those areas to connect gaps in the containment line.
This containment map of the Blue Lakes Fire in Montmorency and Cheboygan counties shows the fire's boundaries as of Monday, May 16, 2022. The fire was ignited by a lightning strike on Wednesday, May 11, and began to spread on Friday, May 13. As of Monday, the fire is 75% contained. Firefighters with the Department of Natural Resources continue to work to contain and extinguish the blaze.Michigan Department of Natural Resources
While some roads are reopened, Blue Lakes Road between Hardwood Lake and Black River roads is still closed. The Black River is also closed between Blue Lakes and Clark Bridge roads until nearby hot spots are identified and addressed.
DNR crews on the scene today include 32 DNR firefighters, two emergency medical technicians and a 13-member incident management team, with law enforcement assistance from two Montmorency County Sheriff’s deputies and three DNR conservation officers. Additional assistance is being provided by Tri-Township EMS, Montmorency County Emergency Management and the Michigan State Police.
Equipment in use includes five engines, two tractor plows, five utility terrain vehicles and a DNR spotter plane.
Fire danger remains high in northern Michigan. Due to increased fire risk, the DNR has not conducted prescribed burns and has not been issuing burn permits. Before any open burning, check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit and get fire safety tips at Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.
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