DNR crews battling 1,000-acre wildfire southeast of Grayling

Firefighters are battling a 1,000-acre wildfire Saturday night in Crawford County near Grayling, which is prompting evacuations in the area.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The fire is located near Staley Lake Road, about 4 miles southeast of Grayling in Grayling Township. The wildfire is moving to the west and southwest and is threatening buildings. Emergency personnel are conducting evacuations.

"The wildfire has produced an abundance of smoke," the DNR said in a release. "Visibility may be reduced on roadways — drive with care in affected areas. Limit exposure to wildfire smoke by staying indoors with windows shut, especially if you have asthma or another respiratory condition."

The fire cause has not yet been determined, according to the DNR, but the state is "experiencing unprecedented hot and dry conditions for this time of year, causing extreme fire danger."

Multiple closures are also in place at the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 75 between 4 Mile (Exit 251) to Down River Road (Exit 256), as well as additional exits within the area.

The public is cautioned to avoid the area to give crews room to work on suppressing the fire. A temporary flight restriction is in place for a five-mile perimeter around the fire at heights below 5,000 feet.

Michigan State Police, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, South Branch Fire Department and Beaver Creek Fire Department personnel are assisting the DNR with fighting the fire.

Ground crews, heavy equipment, a Michigan State Police helicopter, and four USDA Forest Service fire boss planes and a Type 1 helicopter have been assigned to help suppress the fire. Aircraft will scoop water from Neff Lake, Shellenbarger Lake and Lake Margrethe.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/03/dnr-crews-battling-wildfire-southeast-of-grayling/70285428007/