Even though there were ice storms in northern Michigan and the U.P., there’s still a risk of wildfires in Michigan.
The risk now is primarily in southern lower Michigan, according to DNR fire prevention specialist Paul Rogers.
“The ground may be wet because we have got a fair amount of rain the past couple of weeks, but what we’re looking at is the grass and the leaves that are left over from last year,” Rogers said. “They’re considered the fine fuels. They burn very quickly and they also dry out very quickly. Even with a light rain within an hour, those fuels are available to burn again.”
Rogers says the greatest risk is south of Cadillac, but by late this weekend he says most of the Lower Peninsula will have some fire danger.
Rogers says you should check the DNR website and your local fire department to see if burn permits are being issued.
