Michigan DNR Cautions U.P. Wildfire Risk
NEWBERRY, Mich. (AP) Michigan is all over the map when it comes to the risk of wildfires this summer, and the state Department of Natural Resources says people should look into the specific conditions before heading outdoors.
The DNR said Wednesday that hikers, bikers and campers will find widely varying wildfire risk conditions this Independence Day holiday period.
The department says summer heat and inconsistent rainfall have pushed parts of southern Michigan into emerging drought conditions.
It says parts of the north have received some needed rain.
So far this year, the DNR says it has responded to 339 fires that have burned 23,122 acres.
Almost all of that is in the recent 21,069-acre Duck Lake Fire in the eastern Upper Peninsula, north of Newberry.
AP-WF-06-27-12 1830GMT<
