Sleeper Lakes Fire

The Sleeper Lakes Fire is a wildfire that occurred north of the Village of Newberry in Luce County, Michigan. The fire most likely started with a lightning strike on August 2, 2007 near the Sleeper Lakes. It is the third largest fire recorded in Michigan's history.

Fire Progression

The fire initially began in the vicinity of the Sleeper Lakes and burned towards the southeast over largely uninhabited marsh and bogs. By August 5, 2007, southeasterly winds began to push the fire towards the north, threatening structures. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-173599--,00.html DNR - Sleeper Lake Fire Update 8/5/2007 ] ] By that point, the fire had burned an estimated convert|12000|acre|km2|0. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-173599--,00.html DNR - Sleeper Lake Fire Update 8/5/2007 ] ] By August 13, the burned area had increased to convert|18500|acre|km2|0. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html DNR - Sleeper Lakes Fire Blazes - 8/13/2007 Update 10:00 p.m ] ]

Resources

Several agencies cooperated in fighting the fire, including:

the Michigan DNR, Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Michigan National Guard, Air Guard, Michigan State Police, Luce County Sheriff's Department, National Weather Service, The Nature Conservancy, numerous Volunteer Fire Departments, Salvation Army, American Red Cross and keymen firefighters working for Michigan DNR

according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html] In addition, 239 personnel were involved, manning many bulldozers, five helicopters and a water bomber. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html DNR - Sleeper Lakes Fire Blazes - 8/13/2007 Update 10:00 p.m ] ] [ [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-173599--,00.html DNR - Sleeper Lake Fire Update 8/5/2007 ] ]

References

1. [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-173599--,00.html Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fire Update Aug 5, 2007.]

2. [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-173599--,00.html Id.]

3. [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fire Update Aug 13, 2007.]

4. [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html Id.]

5. [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-174043--,00.html Id.]

6. [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-173599--,00.html Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fire Update Aug 5, 2007.]