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[BigRedDog]

As devastating as this fire has been, it's far from the worst we've ever had in Michigan:

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/where_does_duck_lake_fire_rank.html

Containment is up to 63%:

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/06/01/up-wildfire-now-57-percent-contained/#.T8jHr5vIdvE.twitter

[BigRedDog]

From the Newberry radio station website:

FRIDAY JUNE 1ST, 2012

2:45 P.M.
THE DNR ILL OPEN THE PIKE LAKE, BODI LAKE AND LITTLE LAKE HARBOR ARE TO PROPERTY OWNERS ONLY AT 9:00 A.M. SATURDAY MORNING.  PROPERTY OWNERS MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP SUCH AS TAX RECORD, UTILITY BILL WITH ADDRESS AND/OR LICENSE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE AREA.  PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ASKED TO MEET AT THE INTERSECTION OF M-12 AND C.R. 500 AT 9:00 A.M.  THE AREA REMAINS CLOSED AND OFF LIMITS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

10:30 A.M.
THE DNR IS REPORTING THE DUCK LAKE FIRE IS NOW 63% CONTAINED, WITH CURRENT GPS READINGS OF 21,331 ACRES EFFECTED.   THE COOLER TEMPERATURES HAVE ALLOWED FIRE CREWS TO CONSTRUCT FIRELINE ACROSS ALL OF DIVISION G IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE FIRE, ACROSS ROUGHLY ONE HALF OF THE EAST SIDE, AND ROUGHLY TWO THRIDS OF THE FIRE'S WEST SIDE.  CREWS CONTINUE TO REMOVE HAZARD TREES. THE LATEST ESTIMATE ON STRUCTURE LOSS IS UNCHANGED.

[BigRedDog]

It's been raining up there most of the day...

According to the Newberry radio station's latest update, containment is up to 71%

FRIDAY JUNE 1ST, 2012

5:55 P.M.
CURRENT CONTAIMNENT FIGURES PROVIDED BY THE DNR ARE UP TO 71%. UNDER THE EVACUEE RENTRY RESIDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CHECK IN WITH FIRE OFFICIALS AT COUNTRY ROAD 500 OFF M-123 AND PROVIDE PROOF OF RESIDENCE/OWNERSHIP FOR ENTRY. 

[BigRedDog]

A great article from Mlive...

it's about the pilot that discovered the fire and all the work he has done on it since...

I've fought my share of brush and wildfires but never been on one so big we had to have air coverage

There's also a great video all shot from his airplane:

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/how_duck_lake_fire_was_discove.html

[BigRedDog]

They've had rain and much cooler weather...

the rain helps put out the fire and the cooler weather helps the firefighters

From the Newberry radio station:

SATURDAY JUNE 2ND, 2012

10:00 A.M.
CURRENT CONTAINMENT REMAINS AT 71%.  THE APPROXIMATE ACREAGE EFFECTED IS 21,135. 

[eriemermaid]

I'm also watching the fire at Gila Hot Springs/Gila National Forest where my in-laws live.  They had to evacuate last year.  It is so horrible to watch the fire/smoke come right up to your door.

[Skittelroo]

I'm also watching the fire at Gila Hot Springs/Gila National Forest where my in-laws live.  They had to evacuate last year.  It is so horrible to watch the fire/smoke come right up to your door.

Such a tense time for all in the area of these fires, and for their loved ones.  Thoughts and prayers for all.

[BigRedDog]

Looks like the rain is done, but at least it's staying cool.  That is rugged ground and anyone on foot has to "work" just to walk.  There are low spots (see all the tiny little lakes in the area) and lots of sand so it seems like it's instantly wet in the low spots and dry in the high spots.  Hopefully it won't get hot and windy again.  Sounds like there will be hot spots for a few weeks even when they have the fire "contained"


Article from Mlive today on all the damage and devastation the fire has caused:

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/scenes_from_the_duck_lake_fire.html

[BigRedDog]

Sounds like they're starting to gain a little faster on it now

From the DNR website:

June 4, 2012
Estimated Size: 21,094 acres

Current Status: T49-50N, R9W — Luce County

Current Containment: 76 percent

Cause and Date Started: Lightning, May 24, 2012

Structures Lost: 136
• 49 cabins/homes (including a store and motel)
• 23 garages
• 38 sheds/outbuildings
• 26 campers

Resources on Fire: 173 personnel (including 45 overhead), plus
• 18 engines
• 9 dozers
• 4 crews
• 1 fixed-wing aircraft (Cessna 182)
• NOTE: The Blackhawk helicopters were pulled from the fire Sunday, June 3, after dropping 1,853 buckets of water — 1.28 million gallons in all — on the fire.

Cooperating Agenciest: Michigan State Police, Luce County Sheriff's Department, Red Cross, Luce County Emergency Management, Wisconsin DNR, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Beartown.

Evacuations: The evacuation order was lifted at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 2, but only for landowners with residences in the Pike Lake, Bodi Lake, Culhane Lake and Little Lake Harbor areas.

Road Closures: County Road 414 east from the intersection with County Road 410 and County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor remain closed to the general public. Please do not enter the area. The Two-Hearted ORV trail is closed east of County Road 414. Falling snags and extensive trail erosion have caused increased safety concerns on the trail and surrounding areas.

Temporary Flight Restriction: The temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the Duck Lake Fire has been lifted. Aircraft entering the area are reminded that DNR aircraft are still monitoring the fire and directing resources on the ground. Due to these ongoing operations, we ask that aircraft remain 1,000+ feet above ground level (AGL).

Plans for Today:
• Finish fireline construction toward division breaks
• Work with other agencies to facilitate damage assessment to resources and recreation areas
• Mop up 100 to 200 feet inside the fireline

[BigRedDog]

I'm also watching the fire at Gila Hot Springs/Gila National Forest where my in-laws live.  They had to evacuate last year.  It is so horrible to watch the fire/smoke come right up to your door.

There was a bad accident at one of the fires in that area over the weekend...

two crewmen died:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/05/us-usa-wildfires-idUSBRE85400A20120605

[Skittelroo]

There was a bad accident at one of the fires in that area over the weekend...

two crewmen died:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/05/us-usa-wildfires-idUSBRE85400A20120605

Too sad to hear this.  It is a dangerous job they are doing.

I've appreciated all your updates, BRD.

[BigRedDog]

They've got another day or two of cool weather and then it's going to be warming up again.  Hopefully they'll get things under control before it gets hot


From the Newberry radio station:

TUESDAY JUNE 5th

1:03PM
AREAS OF THE TAHQUAMENON FALLS STATE PARK NORTH OF M-123 THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY CLOSED DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE THE FIRE HAVE BEEN RE-OPENED TO THE PUBLIC. PARK STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE FIRE AND ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE AREAS NORTH OF M-123 ARE NOT AT RISK AND SAFE FOR VISITORS. RE-OPENED AREAS INCLUDE THE HIKING TRAILS NORTH OF M-123, THE STABLES PICNIC AREA, AND THE BETSY LAKE NATURAL AREA. WITH THIS RE-OPENING, ALL FACILITIES AND LANDS AT THE PARK ARE NOW OPEN.

[BigRedDog]

I saw yesterday that containment is approaching 90%...   and it looks like some more rain is heading that way today...   maybe they'll get a soaker...  of couse with all the ground cover burned off rain is going to carry a lot more debris (and water) into the streams and rivers so it could be a bit of a mess too...

Sounds like by the first of next week they expect everything to be back to "normal"

From the Newberry radio station website:

THURSDAY, JUNE 7TH

8:30 A.M.
THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HAVE ANNOUNCED THE REOPENING OF THE ENTIRE DUCK LAKE FIRE AREA TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS EFFECTIVE THIS EVENING AT 7 P.M.  PROPERTY OWNERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CHECK IN AT THE M-123 AND C.R. 500 CHECKPOINT FOR A PLACARD THAT MUST BE DISPLAYED AT ALL TIMES.  PROOF OF OWNERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY.  A PLACARD WILL ALLOW TRAVEL TO AND FROM PERPERTY ONLY.
ALL ROADS AND TRAILS WILL BE REOPENED TO NON RESIDENTS ON MONDAY, JUNE 11 AT 10:00 A.M.
THE DNR REMINDS EVERYONE THAT FIRE EQUIPMENT REMAINS IN THE AREA.

[BigRedDog]

A couple of "aftermath" stories and photos from Mlive:





http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/did_duck_lake_fire_kill_much_w.html

[Skittelroo]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_MICHIGAN_WILDFIRES_MIOL-?SITE=MIMON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Finally, the Duck Lake fire is completely contained.