“You think you’re prepared. You think you’ve got just a little fire… turn your back on it, you know something could go wrong.”
The Michigan DNR is urging caution ahead of Father’s Day Sunday and the expected uptick in campfires and cookouts.
“As it dries out over an extended period of time… a little bit of wind added to it and you can have something that’s out-of-control,” explained DNR Forest Fire Supervisor Bret Baker.
Hot, dry conditions, have put most of the state under an elevated fire risk, ranging from high to very high. Department experts predict that elevated risk will hold through the holiday weekend.
“Fine fuels and grass dry out and become more susceptible for fire,” said Baker. “Campfires can quickly spread.”