Wildfire — Luce, Michigan

2012-05-20 to 2012-05-31 · Luce, Michigan

Event narrative

Lightning from a line of thunderstorms ignited The Duck Lake Wildfire 14 miles north of Newberry on the evening of the 20th. Strong south winds gusting over 30 mph on the 24th quickly fanned the fire and caused it to spread rapidly toward the Lake Superior shore forcing mandatory evacuations for people in the Pike Lake, Bodi Lake, Culhane Lake and Little Lake Harbor areas. The 21,069 acre wildfire, the third largest in modern Michigan history, burned 136 structures (including one store and one motel) before it was fully contained in mid-June. No injuries or deaths occurred from the fire. Road closures included County Road 414 east from the intersection with County Road 410 and County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor. As a precaution, Tahquamenon Falls State Park was also closed for several days but was completely untouched by the fire. The total cost of property lost and resources used to fight the fire was estimated to be over $10 million. Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster in Luce County on the 25th.

Wider weather episode

Lightning strikes from a line of thunderstorms ignited The Duck Lake Wildfire 14 miles north of Newberry and the Pine Creek North Wildfire in the Seney National Wildlife Refuge on the evening of the 20th.

Strong south winds gusting over 30 mph on the 24th quickly fanned the Duck Lake Wildfire and caused it to spread rapidly toward the Lake Superior shore forcing mandatory evacuations for people in the Pike Lake, Bodi Lake, Culhane Lake and Little Lake Harbor areas. The 21,069 acre wildfire, the third largest in modern Michigan history, burned 136 structures (including one store and one motel) before it was fully contained in mid-June.

The Pine Creek North Wildfire spread to 3500 acres by the 25th but was 95 percent contained by the 28th. The Marshland Wildlife Drive, Fishing Loop, Pine Ridge Nature Trail and many interior roads within the refuge were all closed due to the fire. The cost of resources to fight the fire was estimated to be around $600,000. No injuries or deaths were reported from the fire.

Due to the wildfires and extreme fire danger, Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster in both Luce and Schoolcraft counties on the 25th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 379163. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.