PhotoBlog - upper-peninsula

May

2012

5:48pm, EDT

Michigan wildfire grows to more than 21,000 acres

Michigan Department of Natural Resources via AP

A wildfire in Michigan's Upper Peninsula grew by 17 percent to more than 21,000 acres, May 26, as officials warned of tough conditions and welcomed help from water-dumping aircraft from the Michigan National Guard.

Wind gusts were predicted at 15 m.p.h. and high temperatures were in the 60s in a dry, remote part of the state where access has been tricky because there are few roads. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, a popular destination for campers seven miles from the fire, was closed.

The fire, known as the Duck Lake Fire, was 20% contained in Luce County, about 75 miles northeast of the Mackinac Bridge, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said. The fire was described as long and narrow, stretching 11 miles north to Lake Superior.