August 30, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed a proclamation lifting the burning ban on all counties in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, citing adequate recent rainfall totals that have alleviated drought conditions; however, the outdoor burning ban remains in effect for all counties in the Upper Peninsula.
 
"Drought conditions persist throughout the Upper Peninsula, and I encourage citizens and visitors to be cautious with outdoor flame," Granholm said.  "The U.P. is still experiencing many wildfire outbreaks, and crews are continuing to work to contain the 18,200 acre wildfire north of the community of Newberry.  Any outdoor flame is considered a hazard in the U.P."

The ban prohibits the following acts on any forest lands or lands adjacent to forest lands:

-  burning of any flammable material, including refuse, brush, stumps, rubbish, grass, stubble, leaves, or crop residue;

-  burning materials in a burn barrel;

-  pipe, cigar and/or cigarette smoking outdoors adjacent to forest lands, with the exception of places of habitation, authorized and improved campgrounds, or in any automobile or truck; and,

-  all campfires except those within containers that are metal or made of masonry at public or private campgrounds that have permanent staff on site or at places of habitation.

 Campfires will not be allowed at any state forest campgrounds or other similar unsupervised, rustic campgrounds. 
The ban does not include charcoal grills or propane or liquid-fueled camping stoves.

A violation of the burning ban is a misdemeanor.  In addition, anyone responsible for starting a wildfire is liable for the cost of suppressing the fire.

"The cost of battling the Sleeper Lakes fire in Luce County has exceeded $5 million," said Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries.  "Even though parts of the U.P. have received recent rain, many of those storms were accompanied by numerous lightning strikes, which can cause wildfires in drought conditions."

For more information about wildfires, including the Sleeper Lakes wildfire in Luce County, please visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.  Wildfire prevention information is also available on the DNR Web site.

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