Fire conditions

Campfires are allowed right now. When having a campfire make sure to take the proper steps when you’re done.

• Keep a water source next to your campfire.
• Properly extinguish your campfire when you are finished by dousing with water and stirring dirt in with a shovel.
• Use the back of your hand to detect if heat is still coming from the fire or ring. If you can feel heat, the fire is not out. Douse and stir again.
• Spray down the metal ring of your campfire. The heat from that can cause dry grass to catch fire.
• Never leave your fire unattended, not even for a minute.

A simple spark could start a wildfire! Causes of wildfires aren’t always what you might think - vehicles, including ORVs, cars and lawnmowers, can start a fire. Keep the following in mind:

• Chains or tie-downs dragging from a trailer or vehicle can lead to sparks.
• Lawnmower blades that accidently hit a rock can spark.
• When brakes wear too thin, the resulting metal on metal can cause sparks.
• Tire blowouts and driving on the rim with a flat tire can cause sparks.
• Parking a hot vehicle over grasses or leaf litter can start a fire.

Open burning of yard waste or debris is currently not allowed in some areas of the state. Please check to see if burn permits are being issued in your area by the DNR (northern two-thirds of the state and the Upper Peninsula) or your local authorities (southern Michigan).

Always be aware of weather conditions before burning. 27% of wildfires are caused by debris (leaf, brush) burning.