Pine Creek North Wildfire – Refuge Opens Marshland Wildlife Drive
Friday, May 25, 2012
7:45 PM
The wildfire on the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, ignited by lightning and first reported on Monday, May 21, had burned approximately 3,400 acres as of 5:30 Friday evening. Crews have been effective at holding the fire within Refuge boundaries. While the fire is not yet out, it is estimated to be about 70% contained and the steadfast efforts of the men and women involved in the operation continue.
The increased containment and forecasted wind directions will allow us to open the auto tour and the nature trail for the holiday weekend.
The Marshland Wildlife Drive and Pine Ridge Nature Trail will open at 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 26.
The fishing loop will remain closed to both vehicle and foot traffic. Some interior roads will remain closed to hiking and bicycling. Conditions will be assessed on a daily basis and areas could be closed again at any time, but closures are not anticipated.
Visitors should be aware that fire related vehicles will still be using Refuge roads. Visitors should check the Visitor Center, our website, or our Facebook page for advisories and closure updates.
Updates regarding the status of this fire are as follows:
May 25 activities: On Friday crews continued to contain the fire within Refuge boundaries and effectively contained two problem areas. Areas still burning are well inside the containment area. Air support was available but not used.
May 26 strategies: The strategy for the fire crews for Saturday is to eliminate a problem area in the northwest corner of the containment area, patrol containment lines, and assess mop up needs.
Resources on Site: Many agencies are sharing resources and personnel to assist with putting out this fire. Approximately 50 people, outside of Refuge staff are working on the ground and in the office. Resources being used include: Fire crews from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois; Refuge staff, Refuge volunteers, U.S.Forest Service Logistics, planning and support personnel; 100 person mobile cache; mobile communications center; seven Marshmasters; four type six engines.
Agencies on Site: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Michigan State Police.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about Seney National Wildlife Refuge, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/seney/ or Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/seneyrefuge.
Pine Creek North Wildfire – Refuge Closures
Friday, May 25, 2012
8:00 AM
The wildfire on the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, ignited by lightning and first reported on Monday, May 21, had burned approximately 3,000 acres as of 5:30 Thursday evening. Crews have been effective at holding the fire below the north containment line and, while the fire is not yet out, the steadfast efforts of the men and women involved in the operation continue.
Because of the location of the fire, the Marshland Wildlife Drive, Fishing Loop, Pine Ridge Nature Trail, and many interior roads are closed to ALL use.
We will reassess these closures tonight.
At this time the Visitor Center, the Northern Hardwoods Ski Area foot trails, and C3 pool (which is open to fishing) are still open for use. Visitors should check in at the Visitor Center, or check our Website and Facebook page for closure updates.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about Seney National Wildlife Refuge, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/seney/ or Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/seneyrefuge.
Pine Creek North Wildfire
Thursday, May 24, 2012
9:00 PM
The wildfire on the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, ignited by lightning and first reported on Monday, May 21, had burned approximately 3,000 acres as of 5:30 Thursday evening. Crews have been effective at holding the fire below the north containment line and, while the fire is not yet out, the steadfast efforts of the men and women involved in the operation continue.
May 24 activities: On Thursday crews worked on the north containment line and on the portion of the fire that jumped the Pine Creek line on the west. Ground efforts were once again aided by efforts from two air tankers and a helicopter. The air tankers have been obtaining water from the Big Manistique Lake in Curtis and the helicopter has been collecting water from Refuge pools.
May 25 strategies: The strategy for the fire crews tomorrow is to continue to contain the fire within Refuge boundaries. Crews will continue to improve fire lines and mop up fire edges. Tomorrow’s westerly winds will likely focus efforts on the eastern line. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will continue to assess the need for burning out state lands between M-28 and the north Refuge boundary. If this is necessary it will involve the complete closure of M-28 while crews light along the highway and back the fire into the wind. This burn would create a black area roughly 1 ½ miles by 2 miles and should effectively stop the fire from crossing the highway if it jumps the Diversion Ditch.
Resources on Site: Many agencies are sharing resources and personnel to assist with putting out this fire. Approximately 60 people are working on the ground, in the air, and in the office. Resources being used include: Fire crews from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois; Refuge Staff, Refuge Volunteers, U.S.Forest Service Logistics, Planning and support personnel; 100 Person Mobile Cache; Mobile Communications Center; Eight Marshmasters; Four Type Six Engines, Two CL-215 Air Tankers; One Type 1 Helicopter.
Agencies on Site: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Michigan State Police
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about Seney National Wildlife Refuge, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/seney/ or connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/seneyrefuge.
Pine Creek North Wildfire
News Release 5/23/2012
The wildfire on the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, ignited by lightning and first reported on Monday, May 21, had burned approximately 2,600 acres as of Wednesday evening.
May 23 activities: On Wednesday crews continued work on containing the fire within an area surrounded by Holland Ditch to the North, Pine Creek Road to the West and the Fishing Loop to the East. The fire did spot over the Pine Creek line. These spot fires, west of Pine Creek, were actively burning till late Wednesday evening and progressed north, approximately 1,000 feet over the course of the afternoon to within 100 yards of Diversion Ditch. A Type 1 Helicopter dropped water on the west edge and two CL-215 air tankers attacked the head fire on the north.
May 24 strategies: The strategy for the fire crews today is to suppress and control the spot fire west of Pine Creek and south of Diversion Ditch using Marshmasters and a type 1 helicopter. Dry conditions have reduced efficacy of Marshmaster “smash” lines. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources plans on burning out state lands between M-28 and the north Refuge boundary this morning contingent upon air support. This will involve the complete closure of M-28 while crews light along the highway and back the fire into the wind. This burn will go from the Holland Ditch on the east and west to a newly plowed dozer line on the west. This will create a black area roughly 1 ½ miles by 2 miles and should effectively stop the fire from crossing the highway if it jumps the Diversion Ditch.
Resources on Site: Six Marshmasters with 12 personnel; Four Type Six Engines (12 personnel); Type 1 Helicopter; Hot Shot Crew (IL) (20 personnel), Refuge Staff (support and fire line); Two CL-215 air tankers. USFS Logistics, Planning and support personnel (Ops/Division Supervisors); 100 Person Mobile Cache; Mobile Communications Center.
Agencies on Site: USFWS, MDNR, USFS, NPS
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about Seney National Wildlife Refuge, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/seney/ or connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/seneyrefuge.
News Release 5/22/2012
Pine Creek North Wildfire
On Monday, May 21 a wildfire was discovered on the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. It appears the fire was started by a lightning strike from the previous day.
At the time the fire was reported, it was approximately 60 acres in size and had run about ¼ mile. By Monday evening, the fire had burned roughly 600 acres.
The fire is located, south of M28 and west of M77, north of the Refuge’s fishing loop. On Monday, fire crews fired off the north perimeter of the fire using Holland ditch as a fire break. The south end of the fire is up against a refuge pool system and roads. The plan is to contain the fire on the west side by Pine Creek Rd. Operations today include firing out Pine Creek Rd and strengthening the north line. Three amphibious tracked engine crews and three type 6 engine crews, “brush trucks”, are working the fire.
No structures are threatened. The fire is not fully contained but progress is being made.
