Michigan’s unseasonably warm weather ignites fire danger

Michigan residents are enjoying unseasonably warm weather this fall, but the dry conditions have elevated fire danger across both the Upper and Lower peninsulas, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR warns that dry weather combined with wind increases the risk of wildfires. Paul Rogers, a fire prevention specialist with the DNR, says a single ember can start a fire that spreads fast in current conditions.

Although parts of the Upper Peninsula received some rain, the DNR anticipates those areas will return to elevated risk within days. Residents are urged to exercise caution with campfires, power equipment, and off-road vehicles, and check for burn permits before burning yard waste.

Last week alone, Michigan experienced 26 fires that burned over 170 acres, according to Rogers.

“Everybody needs to be aware that the danger is heightened through this week,” he emphasized.

Before burning yard debris, residents should check for permission at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit, or consult their local municipality or fire department in the southern Lower Peninsula.

The DNR also advises never leaving fires unattended, drenching them with water and stirring the ashes after use, keeping a water source nearby, preventing sparks from trailer chains and hot equipment, and avoiding burning plastic, hazardous materials, and household trash.

For more information about fire safety and management, visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.

DNR firefighters have responded to over 200 fires that have consumed more than a thousand acres in 2024.