DNR provides new information on Negaunee Township brush fire

Key Points:

• The Ridge Fire in Negaunee Township, Michigan, has grown to an estimated 256 acres, fueled by a mix of conifers and hardwoods, with 40 firefighters currently on the ground and additional support from aircraft and law enforcement.
• Officials have implemented the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive, currently at the “Ready” stage, urging them to prepare for possible evacuation by removing brush, planning routes, and packing emergency supplies.
• Four homes near County Road 510 were urged to evacuate due to fire danger, but only three were successfully evacuated as one homeowner refused; the evacuees were allowed to return Sunday evening.
• A temporary flight restriction is in place within a five-nautical-mile radius of the fire below 3,500 feet to prevent interference with firefighting efforts, and drone flights are prohibited in the area.
• The fire has caused closures of recreational areas such as the Noquemanon trail system, and the DNR is also managing several other wildfires in the region, emphasizing public and firefighter safety as top priorities.