Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries, on Wednesday, April 13, signed an emergency order to ban campfires and open burning in any DNR-managed lands. Humphries signed the order at the request of DNR Forest, Fire Management and Minerals division, citing the “very high” level of fire danger in nearly all of Michigan. The order is in effect until Humphries rescinds it.
“We certainly feel that Michigan's fire danger level warrants this action,” Humphries said. “By banning campfires and opening burning in our state-managed lands, we can help reduce the spread of wildfires during this dangerous period.”
With the exception of a 10-mile wide strip along the Lake Superior shoreline, all of Michigan is under “very high” fire danger warning, Humphries said.
As of 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, 152 wildfires have been sparked in Michigan that have burned 610 acres, according to DNR fire reports, Those totals are well ahead of where the state was last year in terms of the number of fires and amount of acreage involved. DNR fire officials said the combination of current weather conditions — warm, windy and dry — coupled with a forecast that calls for little chance of rain in the next several days are primarily fueling this spring's wildfire season.
In the order, Humphries banned all campfires and open burning in state-managed lands with the exception of developed camp sites that have a fire ring in state parks. The burning ban will affect state forest campgrounds, however. The order also asks that all fire-qualified DNR employees be on standby if they need to be called to action to battle wildfires.
If the order is violated, the DNR can seek suppression costs from an individual if the department can prove their fire started a wildfire. Suppression costs would be reimbursed to the state and any local fire department enlisted to help fight the fire.
“While we encourage people to enjoy the outdoors, we caution them that campfires and open burning at this time present a very high risk to our natural resources and to private property as well,” Humphries said. “There are alternatives to open burning, especially of yard debris, during the spring clean-up time, including mulching and wood chipping. A majority of the wildfires we have experienced thus far were the result of someone burning yard debris.”
For more information about wildfires and tips to prevent them, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.
