10/15/2026
Please continue to be careful & safe. Thank you to everyone working on these fires ❤️
🔥 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!
