U.S. Forest Service - Ottawa National Forest

10/28/2026

The Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center will be closed today, October 28, until 1:00 PM CST to allow our staff to attend an important training.

10/27/2026

Last week and over the weekend, Fire personnel successfully burned all 366 acres of of the Blueberry Prairie Prescribed Fire Unit within the Baraga Plains area. Resources remain on the scene to check for heat and smokes and will continue to monitor the area this week.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-announcement/miotf-2026-upper-peninsula-fire-and-aviation-management-unit-planned-prescribed-fires?fbclid=IwY2xjawVNlpdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXVURnczZ0Z2eHdwRkNmVlBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeGkcKm7W1tav3dwHpvkjrIqyjtBQSI4nLbrWYWwRdnzdYfXp_7qNraJZ9qgc_aem_DIJj_sonTvc_9Lh9HnB4oQ

Map: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=0b202f990a244b669a85acff82bc66c5&fbclid=IwY2xjawVNlAJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXVURnczZ0Z2eHdwRkNmVlBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNw3izffPz3LO4lUQNUDrK9MqfQ37QR_5lAWwNFvLQ2KnDxGTyuwi-stOaMs_aem_T26ZKj6-PEc2NYGmPWZkCw

(Forest Service Photos)

10/22/2026

Today, conditions permitting, Upper Peninsula Fire and Aviation Management Unit fire personnel will begin ignitions on the Blueberry Prairie Rx Unit (366 acres). This unit is within the Baraga Plains area, near the junction of Forest Road 2245 and Forest Road 2243B. Smoke will be visible throughout the area during firing operations and may remain within the unit for some time after. Fire personnel will continue to check and monitor the unit long after the initial burn day.

If you are traveling in the Baraga Plains area watch for warning signs when driving, slow down, and turn on your headlights if you encounter smoke on the road.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-announcement/miotf-2026-upper-peninsula-fire-and-aviation-management-unit-planned-prescribed-fires

Map: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=0b202f990a244b669a85acff82bc66c5

10/19/2026

🔥 Wildfire Status Update! Here is a brief overview of the current status of the fires based on the latest reports:

🔥 Black River Fire
Status: 70% contained.
Cause: Confirmed as a lightning strike (verified by charring patterns on cedar trees and lightning mapping).
Safety: The public should continue avoiding the area.

🔥 Craig Lake Fire
Status: 90% contained.
Cause: Confirmed as a lightning strike.
Closures: Craig Lake State Park (north of Craig Lake proper and the Teddy Lake Yurt) and the North Country Trail within the park remain closed through the end of October. The remainder of the park is open.

🔥 Ridge Fire
Status: 50% contained at 466 acres. Located 10 miles northwest of Marquette (north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510).
Cause: Still under investigation.

Advisories: A "Ready" status remains in effect for residents along North Basin Drive, and the Noquemanon Trail system west of the County Road 510 trailhead remains closed.

📸 The photo on this post is the tree where the Black River Fire originated from a lightning strike.

10/16/2026

Forest Service crews conduct prescribed burns to reduce the buildup of dry brush, fallen branches, and other wildfire fuels. This active management work helps to improve wildfire resiliency and slow future wildfire spread.

Our crews plan and carry out each burn with care, under optimal weather conditions, to improve forest health, while reducing wildfire risk to surrounding communities.

(Forest Service photo)

10/16/2026

Black River Fire: Estimated at 382 acres and 50% contained. Located about 4 miles south of Wakefield with 60 personnel onsite.

Michigan DNR Wildfire Update: DNR fire crews continue suppression efforts on three active fires in the Upper Peninsula, facing tough conditions including muddy roads, slippery rocks, and falling trees due to deep-burning fires in the duff layer. Here's the status this evening:

Ridge Fire: Estimated at 466 acres and 30% contained. Located 10 miles northwest of Marquette (cause under investigation).

Craig Lake Fire: Estimated at 606 acres and 57% contained. Located north of Craig Lake State Park (caused by a lightning strike). Note: Portions of Craig Lake State Park and the North Country Trail are temporarily closed through October.

Black River Fire: Estimated at 382 acres and 50% contained. Located about 4 miles south of Wakefield with 60 personnel onsite.

Important Reminders:

Ready, Set, Go!: North Basin Drive residents remain at "Ready" status.

A temporary flight restriction remains in place—please keep all drones and personal aircraft away from the fire areas.

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

Black River Fire Update

🔥 Current Wildfire Update: Ridge, Craig Lake, & Black River Fires

Fire crews continue battling rugged terrain and difficult access on multiple fires in the Upper Peninsula, making steady progress on containment efforts.

1. Ridge Fire
Size & Containment: Estimated at 434 acres and 30% contained.

Location: 10 miles northwest of Marquette, north of the Dead River Basin west of County Road 510.

Details: Spotted by a DNR pilot on Oct. 9 (cause under investigation). Area landowners continue providing critical information to assist firefighters with access.

2. Craig Lake Fire
Size & Containment: Estimated at 604 acres and 50% contained.

Location: North of Craig Lake State Park.

Details: Detected by a DNR pilot on Oct. 8. The cause has been confirmed as a lightning strike from storms between October 5 and 8 that smoldered before high winds caused it to spread.

3. Black River Fire
Size & Containment: Estimated at 382 acres and 50% contained.

Location: 4 miles south of Wakefield, Michigan, burning in a densely forested, hard-to-access area.

Details: The DNR took over management from the U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday. Its cause remains under investigation.

⚠️ Safety Reminders & Restrictions
Ready, Set, Go! Protocol: The status for residents along North Basin Drive remains at “Ready.” Residents are encouraged to stay prepared.

Closures:
The Noquemanon Trail system west of the trailhead on County Road 510 is closed.

Craig Lake State Park is temporarily closed north of Craig Lake proper, along with the Teddy Lake Yurt and the North Country Trail within the park through the end of October. (The remainder of the park remains open).

Temporary Flight Restriction: A 5 nautical mile radius restriction is in effect below 3,500 feet over the Ridge and Craig Lake fires. Drones are strictly prohibited as they halt all air operations. Please avoid the area.

Thank you to all participating agencies including the our DNR teams, U.S. Forest Service, Michigan State Police, local Sheriff's Offices, emergency management teams, and local fire departments. Their coordinated suppression efforts are instrumental in tackling these wildfires!

10/13/2026

Black River Fire: Evening Update

Incident command transitioned today at 1130 CST from Forest Service to Michigan DNR. Resources on scene have not changed. Its been a cooperative effort and has stayed a cooperative effort between agencies, but because of the land jurisdiction the DNR has taken command. After today information updates will come from the Michigan DNR https://www.facebook.com/michigandnr

The Fire is estimated to be approx. 300 plus acres (may change with more accurate mapping) and 50% contained.

Cause is under investigation

There are currently no evacuations and no threats to structures.

The fire is located south of Wakefield, Michigan in a densely forested area with difficult access directly along the fire’s edge. Today, resources focused on completing dozer line on the southern edge which will meet up with the Little Black River that makes up the western line of the fire. Crews are focusing on mop-up efforts along the marsh where a majority of the heat currently resides and improving containment lines.

Cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, and light precipitation have greatly moderated fire activity aiding in suppression efforts, however there is still plenty of heat within the fire footprint, especially along marsh areas. Winds are expected to increase later in the week which will test containment lines.

Aerial resources will continue to be utilized over the incident as needed. Remember, If you fly, we can’t.

(Forest Service photos)

10/13/2026

Black River Fire: Evening Update

The Fire is estimated to be 300 acres and 40% contained.

The fire is located south of Wakefield, Michigan in a densely forested area with difficult access directly along the fire’s edge. Today, resources worked hard constructing control line around the perimeter and working to secure the fires edge to minimize growth. Dozer line was completed on the north side of the fire this afternoon. Tomorrow, crews and dozer will be focusing efforts on securing the southern edge.

Higher relative humidity and precipitation is forecast for this evening which should greatly moderate fire activity overnight and aid in suppression efforts tomorrow.

There are currently no evacuations and no threats to structures. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Tomorrow morning incident command will be transitioning from Forest Service to the Michigan DNR.

Aerial resources will continue to be utilized over the incident as needed. Remember, If you fly, we can’t.

Forest Service photo of the Black River Fire taken by Josh Lopac.