UPDATE 10/22/24 6:30 p.m.
MESICK — Northwest Wexford Emergency Authority Fire Chief Mike Guernsey said they’re still trying to figure out what caused a massive fire in the Mesick area.
He said the outer building on the three-acre property had caught on fire and had spread to other outer buildings and to some of the 200 or so vehicles parked on the property.
Guernsey said it was all hands-on deck for his seven members from the start.
“I started calling three enforcements right away. as soon as I was probably two miles away, I could see the black smoke,” said Guernsey.
Guernsey said having to wear gear to protect them from the thick black smoke takes more energy and the size and intensity of the fire they were dealing with, made it necessary to call in reinforcements right away.
Agencies from Wexford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Manistee counties were called in to help assist putting out the fire
“We had lots of flames, lots of smoke. The biggest concern and problem we had was just access to the fire. You know, all the fires were in the way. And like I said earlier, .it was a big maze trying to get through and make sure our people were safe trying to put the fire out. We had four different trucks pumping with 2 to 3 different hose line stretched. So, we had a lot of hose that got pulled. A lot more work, but more people,” said Guernsey.
Guernsey said since they are a smaller department and have less resources, Michigan State Police will be out Wednesday to investigate the cause, which is standard for bigger fires.
He said his department will also be looking if there’s been an impact to the air and ground from all the black smoke and chemicals from the vehicles on the property.
10/21/24 6:30 p.m.
Mesick Fire
MESICK — Wexford County firefighters had their hands full Monday fighting a massive fire north of Mesick.
Matt Guernsey, Northwest Wexford Emergency Authority fire chief, said they were called to a home on 11 Road near 8 Road around 3 p.m. Monday for a report of a building fire. Thick, black smoke could be seen for miles.
At least 20 other agencies were called in to assist from surrounding areas, some as far away as Grand Traverse and Manistee counties. As of Monday night, they said the fire was contained and they’re working on putting out hot spots.
The three-acre property had multiple outbuildings, campers and lots of vehicles. No word yet on what caused the fire, but at least two outbuildings were destroyed. Guernsey said the number of vehicles on the property is part of what’s making the fire so difficult to put out.
“There’s multiple vehicles around the property which gives us limited access into the buildings initially. So it’s kind of a maze to get in and get out,” said Guernsey. “We’re just mopping up right now. We have an excavator on scene helping us get into the fire, tear the buildings apart and soak everything down.”
Firefighters said no one was hurt. Michigan State Police investigators are looking into the cause.