Despite rain moving into the region this weekend, central and northern Michigan are at a heightened wildfire risk, according to the National Weather Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The risk comes from a stretch of dry and windy weather that have caused drought conditions. This weekend's rain will not be enough to reverse this, with a maximum of 1/3 of an inch of rain in some areas.
That's according to Eleanor DeLizio with the National Weather Service in Gaylord. She says the drought conditions are moving north, which could pose a risk in areas affected by this spring's ice storm.
"[Damage debris] makes more of those fuels available because there's a lot of dead and down trees around," DeLizio told WCMU. "And folks are doing a lot to clean some of that up, but there was just such immense damage that it's hard to get all of that. Those dead fuels definitely respond a little bit more quickly to some of these drier conditions. So, when we are able to really dry out, they see that impact more."
A wildfire was discovered off Benzie Road near Houghton Lake last Sunday, spreading out 101 acres before being fully contained Wednesday afternoon. Today, the DNR announced workers will remain in the area through this coming weekend to finish extinguishing the fire. They recommend people keep away from the area if possible for worker safety.
The DNR is also reminding people to check with local fire departments to ensure conditions are okay for burning before starting any fires, and to get a burn permit before starting. Burn permits have been paused in parts of the region.
