Marquette, Mich. — Two Upper Peninsula wildfires kept firefighters busy into the week after forcing at least three home evacuations over the weekend, officials said — one in Marquette County and another spilling into Baraga County.
A DNR pilot saw smoke from Craig Lake at 1:48 Friday afternoon and from the Ridge Fire at 3:55. Ridge covers an estimated 256 acres northwest of Marquette along the County Road 510 / North Basin Drive corridor. Craig Lake has scorched about 30 acres above Craig Lake State Park.
Three homes on County Road 510 were emptied. Shelter is at Negaunee Township Hall on East M-35, with the Red Cross aiding people and pets. The sheriff’s office told nearby residents to stay ready if winds worsen.
Remote, rugged terrain has slowed ground crews, the DNR said. Help includes two Minnesota Fire Boss aircraft and a State Police aviation helicopter (Type 2).
A five-nautical-mile flight ban rings both fires. Monday morning still brought high fire danger from wind and drought, with heavy smoke possible around Negaunee, Ishpeming, Marquette and Michigamme. Causes remain under investigation.
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