Sleeper Lakes Fire
Encyclopedia
The Sleeper Lake Fire is a wildfire
that occurred north of the Village of Newberry
in Luce County
, Michigan
. The fire most likely started with a lightning strike
on August 2, 2007 near Sleeper Lake. It is the third largest fire recorded in Michigan's history.
and bog
s. By August 5, 2007, southeasterly winds began to push the fire towards the north, threatening structures and forcing nearby residents to evacuate. By that point, the fire had burned an estimated 12000 acres (49 km²). By August 13, the burned area had increased to 18500 acres (75 km²).
according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html In addition, 239 personnel were involved, manning many bulldozer
s, five helicopter
s and a water bomber
.
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
that occurred north of the Village of Newberry
Newberry, Michigan
Newberry is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Luce County. Located within McMillan Township at its very southern end, it shares some administrative responsibilities with the surrounding township. The population was 2,686 at the 2000 census.The village was named in...
in Luce County
Luce County, Michigan
-Government:The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates themajor local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The fire most likely started with a lightning strike
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
on August 2, 2007 near Sleeper Lake. It is the third largest fire recorded in Michigan's history.
Fire Progression
The fire initially began in the vicinity of the Sleeper Lake and burned towards the southeast over largely uninhabited marshMarsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
and bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
s. By August 5, 2007, southeasterly winds began to push the fire towards the north, threatening structures and forcing nearby residents to evacuate. By that point, the fire had burned an estimated 12000 acres (49 km²). By August 13, the burned area had increased to 18500 acres (75 km²).
Resources
Several agencies cooperated in fighting the fire, including:
the Michigan DNR, Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Indian AffairsBureau of Indian AffairsThe Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Michigan National GuardMichigan National GuardThe Michigan National Guard consists of the Michigan Army National Guard and the Michigan Air National Guard.-Units:Michigan Army National Guard units include:* Joint Forces Headquarters, Lansing, MI* 177th Military Police Brigade, Taylor, MI...
, Air Guard, Michigan State PoliceMichigan State PoliceThe Michigan State Police is the state police agency for the state of Michigan. The MSP is a full service law enforcement agency with its sworn members having full police powers statewide....
, Luce County Sheriff's Department, National Weather ServiceNational Weather ServiceThe National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
, The Nature Conservancy, numerous Volunteer Fire Departments, Salvation ArmySalvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
, American Red CrossAmerican Red CrossThe American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
and keymen firefighters working for Michigan DNR
according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html In addition, 239 personnel were involved, manning many bulldozer
Bulldozer
A bulldozer is a crawler equipped with a substantial metal plate used to push large quantities of soil, sand, rubble, etc., during construction work and typically equipped at the rear with a claw-like device to loosen densely-compacted materials.Bulldozers can be found on a wide range of sites,...
s, five helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s and a water bomber
Aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing...
.