Nationwide, nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people. When wildfires happen, DNR firefighters are there to put them out.

The newest DNR wildland fire report is now available, sharing details about the 2020 firefighting season and staff activities.

DNR firefighters responded to 203 fires last year, starting in March and ending in December. The fires burned a combined 960 acres of land, with the most resource-intensive fire igniting in Grayling May 21, requiring air support and the assistance of partner agencies. A dry autumn extended fire season and resulted in an unusual 13 November fires.

The low number of fires and acres burned in 2020 reflect a cool, wet year, contrasting with previous years and the way 2021 has been shaping up. This year, firefighters already have responded to 219 fires with 2,088 acres burned.

“The most common cause of wildfire was escaped yard waste burns of leaves and brush,” said DNR fire supervisor Dan Laux. “Other common causes were sparks from equipment and campfires.”

With fewer blazes to put out in Michigan, fire teams turned their efforts to improving forest road infrastructure by fixing culverts – structures that allow water to flow under a road, railroad or trail – grading roads, building bridges and removing hazardous trees. They also assisted with tree planting, storm cleanup and timber preparation efforts. Emergency incident management teams that include DNR fire staffers helped Midland-area communities following flooding and provided support for COVID-19 emergency efforts in Detroit.

Further afield, 99 dispatches of firefighters and technical staff were authorized to help with a devastating western wildfire season in California, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Wyoming. These experiences allow firefighters to sharpen their skills to be more effective here at home, and Michigan is always reimbursed for sending assistance to other states.

DNR pilots flew fire-detection flights during high-risk times, provided aerial support to battle large fires and assisted with forest health and wildlife surveys.

The Forest Fire Experiment Station and the Roscommon Equipment Center program, a mid-Michigan facility which designs and builds fire equipment, finalized production of a fire plow for fire suppression in rough terrain. Designers also began work to upcycle retired military equipment into rugged new firefighting engines.

Questions? Contact Paul Rogers at 616-260-8406.