Gov Whitmer addresses danger of wildfires in Michigan

Dear Friend, 

As Michigan continues to experience unusually hot and dry conditions for this time of year, the risk of wildfires has increased. That’s why it’s important to be safe and take every precaution while enjoying our beautiful Michigan summers. 

Three drivers of fire risk are temperature, humidity/dryness, and wind. We are experiencing all of those right now.  

Our partners at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have put together this helpful infographic below on fire safety. 

While burn permits are not being issued at this time, you can stay updated at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit to see whether conditions in your county have changed to allow for open burning. While burn bans and burn restrictions do help prevent wildfires, they are only a part of the solution. In conditions like today’s, even a simple spark can ignite a deadly wildfire. 

• Chains or tie-downs dragging from a trailer or vehicle can lead to sparks. 
• Lawnmower blades that accidently hit a rock can spark. 
• Lightning strikes in thunderstorms can cause smoldering until humidity decreases and winds pick up and ignite fires, even days later.
• Downed power lines can ignite grasses and leaf litter.
• Parking a hot vehicle over grasses or leaf litter. 

Right now, camp and cook fires are allowed, but we strongly suggest holding off on any outdoor burning until we get significant rain and the very high fire danger we are facing subsides. If you do decide to have a fire, we ask you to make sure you:  

• Keep a water source next to your campfire. 
• Properly extinguish your campfire when you are finished by dousing with water and stirring dirt in with a shovel.
• Use the back of your hand to detect if heat is still coming from the fire or metal ring of your campfire. If you can feel heat, the fire is not out. Douse and stir again.
• Spray even the metal ring of your campfire. The heat from that can cause dry grass to catch fire. 

I am grateful for firefighting units across the state such as the DNR, the USDA Forest Service, the Michigan State Police, Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact members, and local units, who are there to respond quickly in the event of a wildfire. 

Let’s continue using our best judgment with fires so everyone can enjoy Michigan’s beautiful nature all summer long. For more information on fire safety, please visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires. 

Sincerely, 

Gretchen Whitmer
Governor