Wildfire — Marquette, Michigan

2009-05-20 to 2009-05-26 · Marquette, Michigan

Event narrative

The Black River Falls Wildfire started southwest of Ishpeming in Marquette County on the afternoon of the 20th. The wildfire was ignited when a jack pine tree branch split off the main stem from strong southerly winds and fell across a power line. The wildfire burned 811 acres, destroyed 21 residences and 12 other structures. The fire fighting efforts were led by the Michigan DNR. The wildfire was contained on the 22nd and mop up efforts continued into the 26th. The cost for personnel and equipment to fight the wildfire was estimated at near $100,000. The total damage estimate is unknown at this time but presumed to be in the millions of dollars.

Wider weather episode

A warm frontal passage on the 20th pushed record heat and very dry conditions across Upper Michigan. This warm front combined with wind gusts up to 50 mph to spark two large wildfires in the afternoon across Marquette and Baraga Counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 169876. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.