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Outdoors
Outdoors
UPPER PENINSULA—As visitors head outside to enjoy summer activities, Forest Service officials would like to remind the public to keep fire safety in mind and take precautions when recreating.
Weather has been hot and dry across the Upper Peninsula this spring, and predictive services are forecasting the continuation of this trend throughout July and August. Both the Hiawatha and the Ottawa National Forests have already experienced red flag warnings this season, which are issued when warm temperatures, low humidity, and winds combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
“While some short-term rain events and cooler temperatures provide a temporary reprieve, they don’t totally offset the effects of long periods of hot, dry conditions,” said Shelby Majors, Assistant Fire Management Officer.
To prepare for these conditions, the Upper Peninsula Fire Management Unit has requested resources from around the country to assist them in achieving local program goals. Many fires start in remote areas that are not easily or quickly accessible, and having additional resources available on the ground means that a crew can focus on one remote fire while another crew is free to respond to a new incident.
Members of the public can help land management agencies by taking the following precautions:
•Always abide by local fire regulations.
•Use existing campfire rings where available.
•Stay informed on local weather conditions.
•Never leave a fire unattended, including grills.
•Make sure all fires are DEAD OUT before leaving. Drown with water, stir with a shovel, and drown again.
•Know that all fireworks are illegal on federal public lands.
•Call the Michigan DNR Burn Line before pile burning at 866-922-2876 or visit Michigan DNR’s webpage.
•Find more campfire safety information at https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety
For more information, please visit one of the following websites or contact your local Forest Service office.
•Great Lake Fire & Fuels – Daily Fire Danger Ratings
https://glff.mesowest.org/map/#/c4594,-8714,8/g1/mc/vadjc/sMI/n/z
•National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/mqt/
Hiawatha National Forest: Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/hiawatha, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiawathaNF, Twitter: @HiawathaNF Phone: 906-428-5800
Ottawa National Forest: Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ottawa/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaNF, Twitter: @OttawaNF Phone: 906-932-1330