Roscommon County — Firefighters from the Department of Natural Resources mopping up after a wildfire tore through more than 101 acres of state land near the Clare-Roscommon County line.
The fire, dubbed the Benzie Road Fire, was first spotted Sunday afternoon east of US127 near Houghton Lake.
DNR Resource Protection Manager for the lower peninsula, Jeff Vasher said the fire spread from 40 acres to about 85 Sunday and Monday, burning 101 acres in total by Tuesday, but firefighters said they have it pretty much contained.
“It’s all state land. So, there’s no threat to structures or nothing where this fires at,” said Vasher.
He said the wind and super dry conditions Sunday helped the fire spread but they were able to make good progress on it Monday and today.
Firefighters are still on scene hitting hot spots and are still advising people to stay out of the area
“It’s at 101 acres and you could say 95% contained. It’s not going nowhere but we’re just keeping it at 95% right now until we do a little more mop up on it, you know, to get the line secure around, you know, but I would say maybe end it today. Maybe tomorrow, we’ll probably have it, you know, full containment,” said Vasher.
No word on the cause just yet and no firefighters were hurt while battling the flames.
Vasher also said despite the recent rain, the drought-like conditions in the area will return in a few days and people need to take caution when it comes to wildfire dangers.