Sleeper Lakes Fire 50% Contained

The 18,574-acre Sleeper Lakes Fire 6.5 miles north of Newberry in Lake Superior State Forest continued to burn Tuesday, August 14, but firefighters were holding a perimeter around 50% of the blaze, preventing it from spreading to structures near Chesbrough Lake and Pine Stump Junction. In some areas, firefighters attacked spot fires 50 feet inside the fire line.

Five new fires consuming 13 acres were contained in the Upper Peninsula Monday, August 13, including a blaze started by lightning in Mackinac County, near Lake Milakokia. The fire started 15 miles west of Naubinway in Newton Township. Three of the new fires began in Schoolcraft County and one began in Dickinson County. Workers labored to extinguish them Tuesday, reported the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Tuesday, August 14.

Sunday, a heli-torch unit provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources helped a growing list of agencies prevent the massive Sleeper Lakes blaze from spreading, despite gusts of winds that reached 30 miles per hour. Using a large torch attached to a helicopter, the unit sprayed flammable gel fuel to ignite a 96-acre swath of unburned forest south of McMahon Lake. The burnout prevents the wildfire from reaching fuel sources that could enable it to spread to the Pine Stump Junction area, said DNR Information Officer Lori Underwood. The heli-torch crew returned to Canada Monday.

County Road 414, north of Pine Stump Junction, was reopened Tuesday morning, and residents were allowed to return to their cabins. Speed limits are reduced along the road, and the DNR asks motorists to keep lights on when traveling in the area.

The Chesbrough Lake Area evacuation remains in effect and the DNR cautions area residents not to return until further notice.

Residents and camp owners on County Road 407 are allowed to return to check on their properties, but the DNR strongly advises that no one remain overnight. The department also requests that ribbons attached to 9-1-1 signs be removed and that area residents checking on their properties leave outside lights on. In the event of another evacuation, the lights will help emergency personnel conduct the operation.

CR 407 remains open, but travelers will encounter large, firefighting equipment, mostly between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Localized flare-ups called spot fires continue to occur at a distance from the fire's perimeter. Workers are actively extinguishing the flare ups as they occur.

Governor Jennifer Granholm declared a state of emergency in Luce County Wednesday, August 8, allowing federal funds to be used to fight the fire.

"This emergency declaration will strengthen our ability to mobilize much-needed resources for the men and women who are continuing to fight this fire and protect the lives and property of residents in Luce County," the governor said.

Congressman Bart Stupak met with federal, state, and local fire administrators Thursday and pledged his support.

"I want the firefighters, the DNR, the Governor's office, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to know how much we appreciate their service and their valiant efforts fighting one of the largest fires in Michigan history," he said. "I always defer to the experts in the field during these emergencies, but if they need any help at the federal level, I will fight to secure them the resources they need."

Governor Granholm visited the area Friday.

The cost of the fire has reached $1.9 million, and the DNR estimates that full control remains several weeks away.

Air support includes a National Guard Chinook and four Blackhawk helicopters from the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Center. The units are assisting Michigan DNR detection aircraft.

Current resources on the fire include numerous bulldozers, water units, three hand crews, five helicopters, multiple vehicles capable of accessing marsh areas, and approximately 239 fire personnel. Agencies include the Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin natural resources departments, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Michigan National Guard, Michigan State Police, Luce County Sheriff's Department, National Weather Service, The Nature Conservancy, numerous volunteer fire departments, the Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross.