Forrest Fire in the UP - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

tamacat · 08-06-2007, 09:57 AM

Take a look at Yooper Yarns - Upper Peninsula, Michigan. I just found this out today and it breaks my heart. I hope they get some rain to help them contain the fire. And I hope everyone is OK up there.The fire is not to far from PINE STUMP JUNCTION. That is where we stayed on our two trips up there last year.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in that area.

IndianRvrShiver · 08-06-2007, 10:44 AM

Fortunately, most of the area that is burning is swampland & bogs. The fire has burned over 10K acres, but they haven't lost a single structure......yet! Fire started by lightening.......nature's way of cleaning up!

littledawg · 08-06-2007, 02:10 PM

hope they get a handle on it that bites...

IndianRvrShiver · 08-06-2007, 07:10 PM

Check out this link for an animated satillite view:
03 August 2007 - GOES-12/GOES-13 visible/IR channel animation (Java applet)

Lot's of great photo's here:Newberry Fire - HCS Snowmobile Forums

**smallengineguy** · 08-06-2007, 08:18 PM

That sucks! Couldn't get the satellite pic to work.

Rider X · 08-07-2007, 09:15 AM

Hopefully this will work, you can see the plume of smoke easily.

PolarisINDY500 · 08-07-2007, 01:19 PM

here are some more...

hopefully they will be able to contain the fire and put it out soon...hate to see da UP go UP in flames...

Rider X · 08-07-2007, 01:28 PM

Great photos Indy, definitely going to be some different scenery this snowmobile season.

tamacat · 08-07-2007, 02:50 PM

According to the fire map cathy clementz sent me, It has not hit any major trails yet.

SnowRida · 08-07-2007, 06:23 PM

I'm wondering if some of our U.P. members can chime in and let us know how there doing.

littledawg · 08-07-2007, 07:14 PM

wow man that kinda hits home.i hope it stays away from all the towns...

PolarisINDY500 · 08-08-2007, 01:53 PM

found these pics of blackhawks scooping water from a near by lake, and getting ready to dump it on the flames.

i also found out its estimated 14,000 acres have been burnt since the start of the fire.

heres the link if anyone was curious... Past-E-Mail

PolarisINDY500 · 08-08-2007, 02:00 PM

holy crap this is interesting...

:30 AM-TUESDAY, AUGUST 7TH
PLANNING MEETING TOOK PLACE THIS MORNING. CURRENTLY OVER 180 PERSONNEL ARE NOW BATTLING THE FIRE. THE FIRE IS 8 MILES LONG AND 3.5 MILES WIDE WITH 14,300 ACRES AFFECTED. THE PLAN FOR TODAY IS TO CONTINUE TO PREPARE THE AREA ALONG COUNTY ROAD 407 FOR POSSILBE FIRE IMPACTS. THE STATEWIDE TOLL FREE NUMBER IS AVAILABLE WITH REGULARLY UPDATED INFORMATION. THAT NUMBER IS 1.877.261.3473.

10:00 AM M-123 WILL RE-OPEN THIS MORNING AT 10:30, HOWEVER, MOTORIST ARE ASKED TO CONTINUE TO STAY CLEAR OF THE AREA. THE PRIOR EVACUATIONS ARE STILL IN EFFECT. 15,428 ACRES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AS OF THIS MORNING. THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD IS SENDING IN 4 BLACKHAWK HELICOPTERS TO ASSIST WITH THE AIR ASSAULT. NO INJURIES OR STRUCTURE DAMAGE TO REPORT. CONTINUE TO CALL 1.877.261.3473 FOR ADDITIONAL DNR INFORMATION.

11:30 AM AN IMMEDIATE EVACUATION IS NOW IN PLACE FOR PINE STUMP JUNCTION SOUTH TO HALFWAY LAKE ON COUNTY ROAD 407...407 WILL BE CLOSED AT 1PM THIS AFTERNOON...DEER PARK RESIDENTS AND CAMPERS AT MUSKELLUNGE STATE PARK SHOULD LEAVE IF THERE IS A NEED FOR A PAVED ROAD FOR LARGE RV'S AND 5TH WHEELS...M-123, HOWEVER, WILL RE-OPEN AT NOON...

*STAY TUNED TO EAGLE 96.7 FOR FURTHER UPDATES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE!

This was taken from the website of the local Newberry radio station. heres the link http://www.radioeagle.com/newberry/NEWS.php

PolarisINDY500 · 08-08-2007, 02:02 PM

HOLY CRAP ALMOST 20K ACRES HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES..........

heres an update:

August 8, 2007
9:00 a.m. Update
Sleeper Lake Fire
Media Information

Statewide Toll Free Information 1-877-261-3473
 UPDATE: About 1/3 of an inch of rain showered firefighters on the line last night around 8:30. No one went searching for an umbrella.

Crews were able to hold the fire east of County Road 407 and south of County Road 420 last night in the vicinity of Pine Stump Junction. The fire stopped two miles south of that location.
A vacant structure in the Murphy Creek area was apparently lost yesterday. The structure is apparently an unoccupied cabin and was located well within the parameter of the fire area. No other structures in or around the area of the fire has been impacted.
There have been no injuries.
The road connecting M-123 and County Road 407 on the southern perimeter of the fire was completed yesterday, providing a substantial fire break. In addition, a back fire was set last night along the southern edge of the fire to take out fuel, in anticipation of northerly winds pushing toward the south.
All evacuations remain in effect, and County Road 407 remains closed.

 2 -

M-123 is open, but a 25 mph speed limit has been established between County Road 407 and County Road 550. Motorists are advised that construction is ongoing on M-123.
Fire fighters are going to start transitioning into a direct attack mode today, as humidity remains relatively high and winds light.
The Red Cross has established a shelter for evacuees at the Tahquamenon Area Schools in Newberry, and animal control officers have set up shelters to take in domestic pets including horses. Contact the Luce County Sheriff’s Department.
Current statistics:
Size: Last estimate was about 19,269 acres. The fire today moved north towards the northern fire line, all divisions are improving & extending lines as much as possible while maintaining current lines. Containment is currently estimated at 10%, with the only solid controlled line along M-123
Location: Luce County, north of the Village of Newberry. Northern line is near Pine Stump Junction, the east line runs along a portion of M-123 and the west line runs parallel to County Road 407.
Resources: 220 people, including DNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Nature Conservancy, Michigan State Police, Luce County Sheriff’s Department, numerous Volunteer Fire Departments, local Red Cross Chapter and local keyman firefighters working for DNR.
Air Support -Four Helicopters from Camp Grayling with 700 and 2,000 gallon water buckets.
In addition, the Wisconsin DNR added 6 tractor plows with pumpers and one tracked marsh vehicle, and a crew of 20 personnel today.
The CL 215 water bombers have returned to Minnesota.
Weather: Forecast for today is clear with winds from the north

PolarisINDY500 · 08-08-2007, 02:06 PM

aftermath photos...
here is a photo in between the Skyline area and Murphy area:

This photo is the back burn near skyline:

SnowRida · 08-09-2007, 04:49 AM

The re-growth will be tremendous but may take awhile.

**smallengineguy** · 08-09-2007, 07:19 AM

You'd be surprised how quickly it'll recover!

tamacat · 08-09-2007, 09:19 AM

Only one structure was consumed by the fire at this point.An abandoned cabin I believe.
Hopefully thats the last. Da UP needs some rain!!!

littledawg · 08-09-2007, 04:27 PM

ive been checking the radar and it looked like they where getting rain.. does any one know for sure if they are.and is it helping or just not enough??