Dry, warm, windy spring triggers wildfire alert in Michigan; DNRE halts burn permits

Wildfire alert, burning permits halted in Michigan

DETROIT — Michigan is hot, dry and windy, triggering a “red flag” wildfire alert from the National Weather Service and a halt to outdoor burning permits across much of the state.

The weather service said Friday that Michigan’s noon temperatures hit 81 degrees in Bellaire and 76 in Flint, with winds gusts topping 30 mph in places.

It’s been weeks since most of the state has had any significant rain, and an unusually warm spring means the snow is long gone, even in the state’s Upper Peninsula.

There already have been a number of wildfires, including one that consumed 63 acres in Roscommon County this week.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has stopped issuing permits for people to burn leaves and yard waste because of the conditions.

On the Net:

Burning permit information: www.michigan.gov/burnpermit