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July 10, 2023
Contact:?Contact: Beth Fults, 517-231-6215 or Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256
4 Corners Fire in Manistee and Wexford counties 80% contained
Michigan Department of Natural Resources firefighters, the U.S. Forest Service and local fire departments are working to contain a wildfire, which started in Manistee and quickly spread into Wexford County, estimated at approximately 225 acres as of 9 p.m. Monday. It is currently 80% contained.
The 4 Corners Fire caused the evacuation of 30 people from their homes and road closures in the area, according to DNR Resource Protection Manager Don Klingler.
?The fire is fueled by a mix of jack pine, red pine and hardwoods,? Klingler said. ?The fire danger in the area was extreme due to windy, dry, warm weather and those dry fuels.?
Road closures
Roads are closed in the area of the 4 Corners Fire to accommodate firefighting efforts and protect public safety. They include:
- North 1 Road from 8 Road to Faylor Road.
- Read Road closed at Viaduct Road to 3 Road.
Evacuations
Some residents have been evacuated due to the 4 Corners Fire; the Red Cross and Salvation Army are on scene assisting. Some of those residents who were initially evacuated have been able to return to their homes.
The Michigan State Police, DNR Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement officers assisted with evacuation efforts.
Suppression efforts
The DNR has 18 firefighters on the ground. The U.S. Forest Service and members of the following local fire departments are assisting in fire suppression efforts: Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Manistee and Wexford.
Air support includes four U.S. Forest Service Fire Bosses and a DNR spotter plane.
Other county law enforcement agencies assisting include: Grand Traverse, Manistee and Wexford.
The fire was reported via a 911 call to Wexford County Monday. When DNR crews were dispatched at 3 p.m., the fire was already 20 acres.
A cause has not yet been determined.
Crews will continue fire suppression and monitoring efforts overnight.
For a fire danger map, to check if burn permits are being issued, fire prevention information and more, visit Michigan.gov/DNR/FireAlert.
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