Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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August 24, 2021
On August 5, 2021 a fire began around 2 p.m. CST at Superior Cedar Products, Inc. in Nadeau Township, county of Menominee, near the Michigan/Wisconsin border. The fire quickly escalated and has claimed one fatality. More than 100 firefighters throughout the region responded to the out-of-control blaze. Although firefighters have now established a perimeter and contained the blaze, it remains active and this emergency will demand an ongoing response for many hours.
Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), "[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists."
Moreover, under the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact, 2001 PA 247, as amended, MCL 3.991, and 2001 PA 248, as amended, MCL 3.1001, the State of Michigan may request mutual aid from another member state upon declaration of a state of emergency by the governor.
Therefore, acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, and the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact, 2001 PA 247, as amended, MCL 3.991 to 3.994, and 2001 PA 248, as amended, MCL 3.1001 to 3.1004, I find it reasonable and necessary to order the following:
1. A state of emergency is declared for the county of Menominee.
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police must coordinate and maximize all state efforts and may call upon all state departments and other member states of the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact to use available resources to assist in the designated areas pursuant to the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.
3. The state of emergency is terminated at such time as the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of this emergency, but in no case later than September 2, 2021 unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.
Click to view the full PDF of the executive order.