Upper Peninsula wildfires evacuations lifted; fires continue to burn

Max Reinhart, The Detroit News on Oct 12, 2026

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A pair of wildfires that have prompted evacuations continue to burn in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, state officials said Monday.

The fires, located in Marquette and Baraga counties, are collectively up to about 565 acres in size, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said on Oct. 12.

One of the blazes, located north of Craig Lake State Park, has grown from about 30 acres as of Oct. 11 to around 359 acres by Monday, Oct. 12, according to DNR. The other fire has burned about 256 acres northwest of the city of Marquette, between County Road 510 and North Basin Drive.

Residents of four Marquette County homes on County Road 510 were ordered to leave, but the DNR said Oct. 12 that the evacuation order had been lifted.

Meanwhile, the Noquemanon Trail network west of the trailhead on County Road 510 remains closed and temporary flight restrictions remain in place within a 5-nautical-mile radius of both fires, restricting flights at or below 3,500 feet.

"Crews are working today to build containment lines, scout for access, and performing direct attack tactics where possible," DNR said in an Oct. 12 update.

Officials said 34 firefighters are working to contain the fire northwest of Marquette, known as the Ridge Fire, while another 17 are battling the Craig Lake fire. Another 18 individuals comprise an Incident Management Team, the DNR said. Crews are using equipment including four fire engines, five tractor plows and a skidder, which is used to clear vegetation and create firebreaks.

DNR said Monday's weather, with relatively calm winds up to 10 mph, was helping limit the spread. On Sunday, the National Weather Service reported gusts up to 31 mph in the area.

The Negaunee Township Fire Department, Marquette County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management and the Michigan State Police are assisting in the operation, DNR said.

Both fires are located in rugged, difficult-to-reach terrain.

A DNR pilot spotted both on Oct. 9. The causes of both blazes remain under investigation.

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