DNR Warns of Extreme Wildfire Risk in Northern Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Fire risk remains very high across northern Michigan as of May 30, 2025, prompting the Department of Natural Resources to restrict burn permits and issue stark warnings for outdoor activities. 'There hasn’t been significant rain in parts of the Upper Peninsula for more than two weeks,' said Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist. Permits for yard debris burning are unlikely to be approved through at least Monday, with officials advising residents to check online before any open burns.

The alert covers the northern two-thirds of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula, where dry fuels like pine needles, leaves and grass are burning hotter and faster than typical for early summer. Areas hit by the March 2025 ice storm face added peril from downed wood that has dried out over months, as noted by DNR resource protection manager Jeff Vasher. Last fall's 26 wildfires burned over 170 acres statewide amid similar dry, windy conditions, with yard waste burning causing 27% of incidents.

DNR emphasizes human error in 90% of Michigan's wildfires, which peak in spring from April to June due to post-snowmelt dryness. Campfire safety tips include keeping fires small, never leaving them unattended, and fully extinguishing with water — drench, stir, drench again — before departure. Keep hoses nearby, avoid dragging trailer chains that spark, and skip burning plastics or trash, which is illegal. Statewide air quality advisories through May 31, 2025, stem from out-of-state smoke.

Fire danger maps on the DNR website show varying conditions, with strategic firefighting units prepositioned for rapid response. Northern Michigan residents, from Traverse City to Marquette, should delay debris burns and build campfires only after 6 p.m. when humidity rises. Local fire departments in southern Michigan handle permits, but all urged extreme caution amid abnormally dry ratings from the National Integrated Drought Information System.