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Benzie Road Fire near Houghton Lake is 95% contained

A half-inch of rain overnight helped firefighters make headway on the Benzie Road Fire near Houghton Lake, which is now about 95% contained.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources fire crews were using a drone with thermal imaging capabilities Tuesday morning to look for hot spots on the 101-acre fire site, which included a marshy area of mixed pine and hardwood forest.

“It has been a good effort with some tough conditions Sunday and Monday,” said Jeff Vasher, resources protection manager for the DNR. Dry conditions, unseasonable heat and gusty winds all were challenges. 

The fire was reported early Sunday afternoon east of Old U.S. Highway 27, near the Clare-Roscommon county line. Resources battling the fire included DNR firefighters, local fire departments, bulldozers, fire engines and drone aircraft support.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The rain is not enough to mitigate dry conditions in much of the state, so please check online for a burn permit or call 866-922-2876 before burning yard debris. Get more fire safety tips at Michigan.gov/FireManagement.