This page contains all the information I came up with during the Sleeper Lake Wildfire. All information is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate. If you have any questions about any thing on this page or this website, please email me at julie@mymidwestweb.com
I am the sole owner of this site, all information is not the responsibility of anyone else, but myself. I kept in close contact with officials and all pictures, unless other wise noted, belong to me! (c)
Thank you and I hope you enjoy this informational page, I put a lot of time into this, just for you!

 UPDATE: December 27, 2007

 T-shirts commemorating the Sleeper Lake Fire, sold in the Newberry area during that nearly-five-week mid-summer blaze, produced donations totaling $1,900 to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Food Bank to assist those in need in Michigan's Luce County.

    Commemorative shirts are something of a tradition for big fires, said Scott Heather, DNR wildfire supervisor.

    "Because the community rallied in such a supportive manner to assist the DNR and others during the Sleeper Lake Fire," Heather said in a news release, "it was appropriate that proceeds from the shirt sales be given back to the community that gave so much to the fire fighters."

    During the 4 1/2 weeks that the fire was active, the DNR said the Luce County community supported the firefighters by taking in laundry and providing baked goods and lunches. Cash donations made to a local food market purchased supplies to help feed the firefighters. Organizations provided meals at no charge. Support items donated included socks, energy drinks, boots and more.

    Bill Sterrett, DNR Forest Unit manager at Cadillac, designed the shirt, and a Baraga print shop produced it. Shirts might still be available at Josie's Posies (906-586-6276) in Curtis, or Papa Reggie's (906-293-8211) or the IGA Store (906-293-5141) in Newberry.

Scroll down to read daily updates!

Sleeper Lake Fire
North of Newberry, Michigan (Luce County)
3rd largest wildfire in Michigan
(2nd largest in the U.P)
Started August 2nd, 2007

We appreciate all the wonderful emails!
Please be sure to sign our guest book, before you leave!
Feel free to leave a message or just say "thank you" to the firefighters & volunteers!
See guest book on home page: www.mymidwestweb.com

THANK YOU, to all the men & women, who are here in our area, putting their life on the line to
save the land, structures, wildlife & people, of the Sleeper Lake Wildfire!
GOD BLESS each & everyone of you!

Nice Detailed MAP
Perimeter with Date & Time
Click link to view picture: http://www.mymidwestweb.com/page48.html

All information on this page is updated, to the best of my knowledge, by mymidwestweb.com, I am trying to keep information correct & updated, as much & as quickly, as possible.
Thank you from Julie, owner of this website!

A little about me: I have been a columnist, for a local newspaper, since 1996. I extablished mymidwestweb website in Aug. 2006. I helped with another website before this. I love to write & research! We enjoy camping & the great outdoors, especally here in the U.P.

FINAL UPDATE: December 2, 2007
Did you know that more then 20 thousand acres burned in MI. where there were at least 395 wild fires this year, DNR Reported. With snow on the ground, no worried for those to flare up again this year! 2007 will never be forgotten from the extreme drough to the wildfires, including this one "Sleeper Lake Wildfire" in Newberry's Upper Peninsula!

It looks like the Sleeper Lake Fire took 18,185 acres, which began with a lighting strike on August 2. It spread quickly, with evacuations and mobilizations from many firefighting resources across Michigan, other states and Canada! An approximate number of 350 helped during this extreme blaze! Including National Guard, Camp Grayling, who brought helicopters with buckets and a water scooping tanker from Minnesota. From Ontario, an aerial ignition helped to get this wildfire under control.

The fire was approx. 7 miles North of Newberry. Smoke was in the air from miles away! Including a report from as far away as Petoskey, with wind conditions the way they were, this wasn't surprising!

The Michigan Department of National Resources estimated this wildfire cost $7.5 million dollars.

No one was serious hurt and an older building was lost.
Read the updates below, if you haven't yet. It gives a day-by-day, hour-by-hour details on the second largest wildfire in Upper Michigan!

Thank you to all who helped in any way, I can't begin to name people, volunteers or groups who helped, I know I'll miss someone! You know who you are and you are more then GREATLY appreciated!

GOD BLESS each and everyone of you!

Toll free number for up-to-date info. on the fire: 1-877-261-3473. I believe this is a record message, with info. on the fire.
This special phone number was set up, to call directly to this area, for those wanting to Help with supplies: 906-293-9450.
Update: Aug. 8 Donations have been pouring in, they now have plenty of supplies, on hand. All donations have been greatly appreciated. If this changes, I'll try to post it here.
Please continue to support the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or local organizations! 
UPDATE: Aug. 14 - Personal Hygiene Items Needed!
Items like: Hand Lotions, Lip Balm, Tooth Paste, Tooth Brushes, Hair Brushes/Combs, Contact Solution, Shampoo, Hand Soap, and so on... If you can bring in small, individual items, to the Red Cross location, set up at 4-Mile Corner, North of Newberry, these would be greatly appreciated!
Aug. 20, UPDATE: Donations of lunch snacks and fruits/vegetables, high in potassium, is greatly apprecited, also 100% juice boxes. Call: 906-293-3729 For more information.
Aug. 22, Update: Donations of Leather Sewing Kits, to repair boots, is greatly appreciated.
If you would like to make a donation of this item, please bring them to Four Mile Corner.
If you would like to help with laundry efforts or supplies please contact: Dan Moore at 906-477-3293.
The Salvation Army EDS team, in conjunction with the Red Cross, is providing food and hydration to those battling the blaze. The Salvation Army is serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to nearly 300 firefighters, state police, and other support teams a day through four emergency disaster services vehicle (canteen), located at a command post in Newberry, MI. The Army is also prepared to offer emotional and spiritual care. Monetary donations earmarked “Disaster Relief” may be sent to 1215 East Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503; pledged on-line at www.salvationarmyusa.org; or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Conn. Firefighters Return Home. Read more and see a short video.
Follow this link... http://www.wfsb.com/news/13987436/detail.html

Sleeper Lake Fire News Updates
Scroll Down For Daily Information

Update: Sept. 10, 2007
Thank you, Tracy McDermott, DNR Public Information Officer, for sending me this bit of information. Some of my readers were asking about the fire and with the rain, the reports slowed down a lot.
Tracy said, the last he knew the fire was 95% contained at 18,185 acres. He added: "The rain which fell heavily in some areas was hit or miss over the fire area and the fire area did not pick up as much as was reported in other areas, like Marquette last week." 
I had ask Tracy about wildlife photos, like the bear sightings, he said "Les Homan has the fire photos archive, but none of the bear sightings."
Tracy continued, "The fire was turned over to Paul Gaberdiel, at the local unit, and his staff will be patrolling and monitoring. The burning ban was still on in the U.P the last I knew. Our DNR Communications Section will release a media update when this changes. I'm sure that it will be on the local news and in the local papers as so many are concerned with the ban."
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Update: Sept. 9
We finely got some well needed rain! As much as we enjoyed the hot, dry summer weather, the rain was a welcome change!
I'm waiting on a report from Tracy McDermott, DNR Public Information Officer, who said she hadn't forgot about me and will be sending me an update soon, when I hear from her, I'll post it here.
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Updated: September 2, Report
Fire suppression activities continue today on the Sleeper Lake Fire, including patrolling and monitoring. Approximately 25 fire personnel remain working on the fire. A crew from Wisconsin is working the fire today. There is a fifty percent chance of precipitation tomorrow night, with a better chance on Thursday.
The Sleeper Lake Fire still has hot spots in the northern and southern areas of the fire, and there is still smoldering, both on the surface and deep down in the peat. Crews are working hard cutting trails through the thick cedar swamp, into the hot spots and mopping up.

The fire is a closed area and cannot be entered except by fire personnel and law enforcement agencies. The fire hazards mentioned above and the hazards of falling trees still pose a serious hazard. The fire area will be patrolled and the restriction to travel within the fire boundaries will be enforced.
The burning ban for the Upper Peninsula remains in effect. The ban was rescinded in the Lower Peninsula, due to sufficient rainfall. Refer to the DNR website for detailed informaiton on burning ban restrictions.
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Update: Aug. 31, 8 p.m. Report
Estimated at 18,185 acres and 95% contained
Transfer of Command on the Sleeper Lake Fire will be turned over to the Newberry Forest Management Unit on Saturday morning, Sept. 1, 2007. Paul Gaberdiel is the area fire supervisor at the Newberry Field Office.
The Sleeper Lake Fire is still being monitored closely as it is still smoldering or burning in deep in the peat, a couple of active hot spots still burning in the interior, but the fire can be monitored and patrolled by the local unit.
The fire area is a closed area and can not be entered except by fire personnel and law enforcement agencies. Along with the fire hazards mentioned above, many trees have had root systems destroyed and falling trees pose a serious hazard. The fire area will be patrolled and this restriction to travel within the fire boundaries will be enforced.
~The burning ban remains in effect throughout the U.P. due to drought conditions.
Restrictions were lifted in the Lower Peninsula due to sufficient rainfall.
The ban includes all public and private forests and forest lands. Forest land is defined as any land capable of growing trees.
~Campfire will be allowed at most state parks and recreation areas, and campers must have campfires only in the designated fire ring on their designated campsite. There are some state parks that have rustic, unsupervised areas for camping. Those areas will not be allowed to have campfires. If you are planning on staying at a rustic cabin at a state park, please check with the park in advance about campfire guidelines for the cabin. Campers should check at the state park for guidelines for campfires.
~State forest campgrounds have designated campsites and fire rings, they are not supervised. The burn ban prohibits campfires in state forest campgrounds or similar rustic, unsupervised campgrounds. You also cannot have a campfire if you are dispersed camping in a state, federal or private forest area.
~You can have a campfire at a private campground as long as the owner provides continuous supervision of the facility and your campsite has a designated fire ring that is metal or masonry.
~As long as you have your fire in a container that is either metal or masonry or in a fire ring, you are not violating the ban. You should take precautions to have a garden hose ready to extinguish any coals or embers that escape the ring. Do not use dirt to cover up your fire at the end of the night. Dirt will not completely extinguish your fire, and may even insulate the coals and embers. Always completely wet down your fire with water.
~If you work in an office building and take your smoke breaks outside, you will not be violating the burn ban unless your office is located next to forest lands. You may smoke at your home or in your vehicle.
They urge you not to discard cigarette or cigar butts outside while driving - many grass fires start that way. (Plus, it is a violation of the state's litter law.) You will not be able to smoke on any forest lands, including privately owned property.
~The Governor will issue another proclamation lifting the ban when the peninsula receives adequate rainfall to alleviate the drought conditions. There is no set timetable for the ban, and it will depend completely on the weather over the next few weeks.
~Burning brush, leaves, branches, refuse, stumps, grass, stubble, crop residue or any flammable materials is a violation of the ban. Persons who violate the ban will be charged with a misdemeanor. Persons found responsible for starting a wildland fire can be held liable for ALL suppressions costs.
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Update: Aug. 30, 8 p.m. Report
Fire fighters have made considerable progress in the last few days extending containment of the Sleeper Lake Fire. The fire is being monitored closely as it is still smoldering or burning deep in the peat, with a couple of active hot spots still burning. Many trees have had root systems destroyed and falling trees pose a serious hazard. The fire area will be patrolled and this restriction to travel within the fire boundaries will be enforced.
Incident Command for this fire will be turned over to the local unit in the very near future. The Incident Command Post for the Sleeper Lake Fire was moved from 4 mile corner to the Newberry Field Office. The 'store' which the Salvation Army and American Red Cross established and maintained with donations from members of the surrounding communities will be open to the fire fighters through tomorrow.
Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario and Manitoba Natural Resources agencies established the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact in order to promote effective prevention, pre-suppression and control of forest fires in the Lake States region of the U.S. adjacent areas of Canada. The agreemane, reached by this compact, allows member agencies to quickly share equipment and resources as needs arise.
During the Sleeper Lake Fire, the State of Minnesota shared CL-215 Water Bombers; the US Forest Service shared a helicopter; and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S., Forest Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the State of Wisconsin and Province of Ontario all shared crews and equipment. Without these resources readily available, the Sleeper Lake Fire could have been much worse. More information on the Great Lake Forest Fire Compact can be found at www.glffc.com

Morale and motivation for all fire crews has been very high during the course of the fire, even though fire personnel have been away from their home and families for extended periods of time. Mingo Crew #2 US Forest Service-Puixco Missouri, led by Crew Boss Robert Waldner, demobilized yesterday and departed very early this morning.
they were one of the more motivated crews on this assignment. Each morning before the bus departed, they would share inspirational readings with each other. Each evening, upon their return to ICC, they could be heard chanting hoorahs as their bus returned to the yard. Crew Boss Waldner, who served on numerous western fires, made a point of commenting on the unprecedented generosity and support that the fire crews received from the communities impacted by the fire.
If you have made travel plans to come to the area, you are encouraged to do so. Fire fighters heartily attest to the hospitality of the communities most affected by the fire, including Village of Newberry and all of Luce County. They, and all of the communities in the Upper Peninsula, await your visit.
The 55 mph speed limit was re-instated on Highway M-123.
The bridge over Dawson Creek on CR 414 in Luce Co. scheduled for removal today, will remain open until Tuesday, September 4, 2007, to allow for holiday travel.
The burning ban remains in effect throughout the U.P. due to drought conditions. Recreational campfires are not allowed, except in thsoe campgrounds with on site rangers, managers or owners and designated locations for campfires; or in places of habitation with permanently established metal or masonry containers or fire rings. Additional restrictions are also imposed with the burning ban. For a complete list of burning ban restrictions, please visit the DNR website, www.michigan.gov/dnr
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Update: 8 p.m. Aug. 29 Report
Russ MacDonald, Incident Commander, on the Sleeper Lake Fire, the third largest fire recorded in Michigan's history, advises that this fire is 95% contained. Two relatively small areas of concern remain, one on the SW and one on the NW side of the fire, where crews are continuing mop-up operations. Paul Gaberdiel, Area Fire Supervisor Newberry Field Office, reports that there are already signs of Mother Nature healing herself. Paul reports seeing various wildlife in the fire area, including seven Sharptail Grouse, and that charred areas in the marshes are already greening up.
The number of fire personnel has dropped dramatically over the last few days, down to approximately 75 fire personnel. The fire crews worked today pulling pipes and hose from various areas around the fire line. Hazardous trees along highway M-123 were downed and are no longer considered a problem for passing motorists.
The cost of suppression on the Sleeper Lake Fire has reached six million dollars.
Fire fighters have made considerable progress in mop up of this fire and do not expect it to pose any danger to Labor Day visitors. If you have made travel plans to come to the area, you are encouraged to do so. Fire fighters can heartily attest to the hospitality of the communities most affected by the fire, including Newberry and Luce County. They, and all of the communities in the eastern Upper Peninsula, welcome your support and await your visit.
Luce County Sheriff, Kevin Erickson, advises that property owners and their guests may return to the Chesbrough Lake, Widgeon/Sawdust Pile road, Spile Dam and East Branch Sportsman's Club areas.
These individuals are permitted back into these areas under the following conditions:
DO NOT travel on the main roads in this area from 8 a.m. through 10 a.m. or from 6 p.m. through 8 p.m.
NO ONE will be allowed in the fire area, either by vehicle or foot!
REMEMBER, State law requires all motorists to yield to emergency vehicles and equipment.
This area will be patrolled and these restrictions will be enforced.
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Update: Aug. 29, 8:30 a.m.
The canteen, that was set up at 4 mile corner, with the Red Cross and Salvation Army's help, along with support from the community, is no longer needed. Plans are to wrap it up this Friday, Aug. 31.
The other day a fire fighter, who was wearing a size 9 boot, but who actually needed a size 10, got a well needed pair of boots. Mary, from the Community Center in Newberry, talked to Charlie Vallier at the DNR in Naubinway, who told her the boots could be bought right there at a Naubinway Business. Mary drove to Naubinway and brought them back to the very greatful firefighter. Mary said she found out the firefighter needed the boots at 7 a.m. and by 10 a.m. he was wearing them.
On a sad note: When Mary returned to the community center, to get lunch ready for the kids who go there, she left her purse in the car and forgot to lock her car, needless to say, her purse came up missing. She is asking if anyone notices a black purse, laying in the ditch, alley, garbage, etc. to please pick it up and return it to her. She has a lot of very important papers in it. She said there will be no questions asked, she just needs the important items back!
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Update: Aug. 29, 8 a.m. Report
Luce County Sheriff, Kevin Erickson, advises that property owners and their guests may return to the Chesbrough Lake, Widgeon/Sawdust Pile road, Spile Dam and East Branch Sportsman's Club area.
These individuals are permitted back into these areas under the following conditions:
DO NOT travel on the main roads in this area from 8 a.m. through 10 a.m. or from 6 p.m. through 8 p.m.
NO ONE will be allowed in the fire area, either by vehicle or foot!
REMEMBER, State law requires all motorists to yield to emergency vehicles and equipment.
This area will be patrolled and these restrictions will be enforced.
CR 420 remains under the evacuation order.
Anyone wishing to access properties within the evacuated zone should contact the Sheriff Department's office directly at 906-293-8431.
They appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation during this fire!

The DNR is demobilizing some of the hose, which pumped water into areas of the fire, several thousand feet were pulled along the northern boundary of the fire and will continue to pull more. Enough will be kept on hand, incase it is needed again.
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Update: Aug. 28, 9:40 p.m. Report
It was a pretty quiet day today for fire crews on the Sleeper Lake Fire. The point four inches (.4") of rain this morning helped to quiet down hot spots; crews found a few smoke spots around the perimeter and focused on those hot spots. Roughly 26,000 feet of hose was pulled from the northern boundary of the fire. The 101 fire fighters currently working on the Sleeper Lake Fire had a relatively easy day, and were thankful for an early evening and the chance for a little R and R tonight (rest and relaxation).
A severe storm is expected to pass through the area tonight with numerous lighting strikes and wind gusts to 35 mph. There were appoximately 50 lighting strikes in Luce County and Northwestern Chippewa County and another 20 in Mackinac County, during the storm which passed through early this morning.
Safety officers reported an injury on Monday; a fire fighter with a scratched cornea.
The 55 mph speed limit was re-instated on CR 407.
CR 420 and the Chesbrough Lake area remain under evacuation order tonight. Anyone wishing to access properties within the evacuated zones should contact the Sheriff Department's Office directly at: 906-293-8431.
Questions on the Mile Alley Fire (Mackinac County, North of Engadine) should contact the Naubinway Field Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 906-477-6048.
The burning ban remains in effect throughout the U.P. due to drought conditions. Dry fuels provide a ready opportunity for a fire to grow quickly if it gets away.
Kristie Sitar, Wildlife Biologist, followed up with the Wildlife Rehabber, Randy Bruntjens, on the saw-whet owl rescued from the fire. Randy told Kristie the owl is gaining strength and is now eating regularly.
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Update: Aug. 28, 9:30 a.m.
I got up at 5 a.m. in hopes to see the Eclipse of the Moon, but clouds interfered with that, along with thunder and lighting, which wasn't good.
The Engadine fire (named: Mile Alley Fire) consumed appx. 13.1 acres, crews left around 8:30 p.m. last night, but I believe they were back this morning concentrating on a few spots in the cedar, to touch up on.
An official air plane flew over the Sleeper Lake Fire, last night, at dusk. The pilot said it looked like a bunch of little camp fires in the fire area. Which, of coarse, were not camp fires, but hot spots, from the wildfire!
The little owl, rescued from the Sleeper Lake Fire, is doing much better and is able to eat mice, it is gaining strength! They named the little owl "Sleepy".
The Sleeper Lake Fire only received 38/100th of an inch of rain, so it didn't touch the fire down deep. Containment is still 80% and mop up continues and will continue for some time yet! The two Mi. National Guard Helicoptors, that had returned to their home base, returned to the Sleeper Lake fire, as promised when needed, earlier last week, have now returned, to their base again, but will come back if needed. Their help, and dedication, is greatly appreciated!
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Update: Aug. 27, 8 p.m. Report
Work on the fire lines over the last few days really paid off for firefighters today. In spite of the gusty winds and drying fuels, the fire stayed within the lines. Fire forces were beefed up along the north lines for patrol and immediate reaction to flare-ups. Some hotspots were noted, but quickly taken care of. Patrol and monitoring continued until 8 p.m. when temperatures began to fall and humidity increased. The wind is expected to continue to be strong throught the night and into tomorrow, but not expected to push the fire outside the fire lines.
Tomorrow is expected to be another High fire day, but the winds are expected to moderate as the day goes on, and humidity is expected to be higher. There remains a concern along the NE line, where an interior hotspot in tag alder roughly 10 acres in size, continues to smolder and be a potential source of trouble. Incident commander MacDonald will address this over the next couple of days.
Safety officers were pleased with another injury free day, in spite of snags falling in the high winds.
CR 407 will have the 45 mph speed limit lifted tomorrow. CR 420 and the Chesbrough Lake area remain under evacuation order.
As of today, there are 8 active forest fires currently on-going in the U.P ranging up to 13 acres in size. These fires continue to stretch firefighters and push equipment to its limits.
Incident command plans for the Sleeper Lake Fire include allocating initial attack team resources to respond to any new fires. Fire fighters from the Sleeper Lake fire have responded as part of the initial attack team to the Mile Alley Road in Mackinac County. This fire is located NE of the village of Engadine in an area that had previously been part of a timber sale on private land. The fire began in a logging slash, winds quickly pushed it toward a cedar stand. Usually this works to firefighter's advantage, since cedar grows in wet areas and can help slow the fire, giving fire fighters an advantage. Today, because of the drought the fire burned through the cedar and was stopped as it exited the other side.
Hose has been laid, and a drop tank is in place. Current resources on the Mile Alley fire include: two dozers, and 3 water units. Between 12 and 20 personnel either are or will be engaged fighting this fire. Air 4, the fixed wing aircraft, flew over the Sleeper Lake Fire and then over to the Mile Alley Fire, in Engadine, directing traffic, looking for spotting and watching for backfires behind equipment.
The burning ban remains in effect throughout the upper peninsula, due to the current weather conditions and dry fuels providing a ready opportunity for a fire to grow quickly if it gets away.
Weather prediction for tomorrow:
High temperature: 76 degrees with a relative hunidity of 64%
Winds: SW at 15-21 mph, decreasing to 8-13 mph.
There is a chance for rain and thunderstorms in the evening.
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Update: Sunday, Aug. 26, 11 p.m.
It's 54 degrees outside, tonight, and a very still and quiet evening!
Normally it would be a perfect night for a campfire, but we put on a warm jacket, sat in the lawn chairs and enjoyed star gazing instead.
The burning ban continues in Michigan!
We're enjoying the nice weather, but we need rain. Where we camp the lake has went down tremendiously!
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Update: 8 p.m. Mi. DNR Report, Aug. 26
Tomorrow's weather and fire behavior look to be some of the most critical since the last flare up on Aug. 21. The big difference is the strenghtened fire lines and the dramatic reduction of hot spots along all lines, especially the western edge of the fire. A water handling system has pumped 1.3 million gallons of water out of nearby creeks and swamps onto this area. Attention will now be focused on the northern fire line, with strong southerly winds expected to gust up 30 MPH, and temperatures predicted to reach 80 degrees. The Incident Commander, Russ MacDonald, is telling fire fighters to expect a long day patrolling lines and to be prepared for flare ups and other fire starts. Fire Safety officers are warning Fire Fighters to be careful of dead snags blowing down in the high winds.

The cost for suppression on the Sleeper Lake Fire has topped 5 million dollars so far. Over half has gone to Air Operations, but without them, they could not have contained the fire. The Black Hawks and Fire Fighters have really hammered hot spots on the fire lines in the last few days. As a result, lines were cool enough to allow the Black Hawks to remain on stand-by today.

CR 407 and M-123 are open to through traffic, but the Chesbrough Lake area and CR 420 remain under evacuation orders.

Anyone wishing to access properties within the evacuated zones should contact the Sheriff Department's office directly at 906-293-8431.

Weather for tomorrow: Maximum Temperature: 80 degrees, Relative Humidity: 37%, Winds: Southwesterly at 15-20 mph by late in the day. Cloud cover is expected to be at 50% by 6 p.m.
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Update: 9 a.m. Mi. DNR Report Aug. 26
With all the work done on the Sleeper Lake Fire over the last couple days, fewer and fewer smokes near the fire line are being found. Shaded fuels still had some moisture in them on Saturday, causing them to smolder for the most part. Litter fuel on the surface of the forest floor is not that dry, but the ground below is very dry and will burn deep and slow, destroying root systems. Winds are expected to lighten as they turn south, and fire fighters were cautioned to look for variable wind directions in the fire area. Variable winds can cause activity on opposite sides of the fire and since this fire is burning underground, destroying root systems, trees can and will topple. Fire fighters are looking for activity to pick up on internal forest islands.

Bear Safety is also a concern. Several fire fighters have had encounters with bear. Keith Murphy, Fire Officer-Seney Field Office, was standing still, reading a map locating hot spots when he heard a crack and looked up. He saw a 200 pound black bear standing about 10 feet away. He and the bear stared each other down for a moment, then Keith began waving his arms and yelling. The bear took a couple of steps back, stopped and stared Keith down again. Keith slowly walked backward, got on his ATV and left the immediate area. Jeremy Turner, Fire Officer-Sanford Field Office, was checking an interior island which was burning and noticed a 150 pound black bear standing about forty feet away. Jerry started walking south and the bear took off running northeast east, toppling trees whose root systems had been destroyed. Other fire fighters in his crew heard the commotion and moved in concerned for Jerry's safety; fire fighters call toppling trees 'widow makers'. Jerry explained that is was simply the bear making a hurried exit. Finally, Terry Popour, Fire Officer-Gwinn Field Office, inadvertently drove his ATV between a sow with a cub on one side of the road and her two other cubs on the opposite side of the road. Terry got out of there quick like.

CR 407 is open to through traffic, however please drive with caution and with your lights on in this area. The Chesbrough Lake area and CR 420 remain under evacuation orders. Anyone wishing to access properties within the evacuated zones should contact the Sheriff Department's office directly at 906-293-8431. The Newberry Incident Command Center's phone number is: 906-293-3293. For updated information call 1-877-261-3473.
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Update: 7 p.m. Mi. DNR Report, Aug. 25
Fire fighters continued to make good progress on the Sleeper Lake Fire. The weather prediction for today held true, with wind gusts the most notable concern. Bog fires burn under ground and destroy root systems, which can cause trees to drop, posing a hazard to fire fighters; however, the safety record for this fire has been excellent. Over the last twenty days, there has been an average of 253 fire fighters fighting this fire 14 hours each day, and only 8 minor injuries have been reported.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Incident Commander, Russ MacDonald, remains cautiously optimistic about scaling back the number of personnel and resources dedcated to fighting this fire. One fire fighting crew, the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Baraga, departed today; and one crew each from Connecticut and Wisconsin may demobilize tomorrow. The Air Guard operations may be released as early as Monday if the weather holds. Terrain influences the way that fires are fought, and with main burning areas concentrated under the canopy, ground crews will become the most effective means of fighting this type of fire.

Over the course of the Sleeper Lake Fire, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been assisted with personnel and equipment provided by various international, national, state and local agencies including 20 different Volunteer Fire Departments, the Army and Air National Guard, the US State Police, Luce County Sheriff Department and Auxiliary, Luce County Road Commission, Luce County Animal Control, Luce County Ambulance, the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service-Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
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Update: Aug. 25
Over the next few days a specialized police helicopter, with heat detecting infrared equipment, will try to find hot spots. This is simular to the military night goggles, which was used earlier in this fire.
Two of the Michigan National Guard Blackhawks, came back & continue to haul water from local lakes, which has been a wonderful help fighting this fire, since much of the fire is in areas where large equipment cannot get into, let alone by foot!
Hopefully good progress will be made before the hot, dry, gusty weather begins again! If all goes well, hopefully by mid Sept. the fire can be completely contained and under control.
The DNR's Drought code (Temp., Wind, Rain) is usually appx. 3 to 4 hundred, before they begin to be concerned. It's at 600 right now! So it's more then dry out there!
Don't forget about the burning ban! The signs posted say NO Smoking and NO Campfires, along with other information! So, until the ban is lifted, please obey the law! 
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Update: Aug. 24
Promising Firefighting Conditions!
Progress being made! No active flames. Continue to mop-up!
Wind Calm, Mostly Cloudy! Should be a good day for progress!
Michigan National Guard, Black Hawk, helicopters are on standby at the airport, just in case they are needed.
The Sleeper Lakes Fire is estimated, today, at 18,185 acres and 80% contained.
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Update: Aug. 23
Black Hawks were grounded yesterday, due to low visibility. They'll try to go up today, to dump water on hot spots.
The CL-215 went back yesterday, to Minn.
Next week tempertures are expected to be warm again with high wind gusts.
Hopefully by then the containment will be complete.
Continue to pray for a good soaking rain!
CR 420 and Chesbrough Lake Road remains closed.
CR 407 is open, but please watch for big equipment and fire trucks, be ready to pull over or slow down, when meeting them.
KEEP HEADLIGHTS ON!!
Be aware of reduced speed limits!
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Update: Aug. 22
Rain help the firefighters get a little break. Fire is 80% contained.
Wildlife Rescued
A juvenile Northern Saw-whet owl rescued Tuesday from the Sleeper Lakes Wildfire in Luce County has been transported to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Gladstone for further care and treatment. The owl was found a few days ago near the fire line by a hand crew from Wisconsin working on containing the fire.
Leslie Homan, DNR, told me it was first reported to him on August 16, by Mike Fitzgibbon a member of the Wisconsin fire handcrew working on the west side of the fire. They discovered the baby owl (still in pinfeathers) while working on the fire line. It appeared to be injured, so tehy decided to keep an eye on it. No facilities were open on the weekend. Over the next few days, the crew checked on the owl daily. The first day, there appeared to be mice left for the baby owl, but subsequently there was no food and the little bird started to look weaker.
On the evening of the 20th they decided to bring the owl in for the local wildlife biologist to look over and get to a local licensed wildlife rehab specialist. One member of the crew, Edna, kept the bird overnight and they brought it in early on Aug. 21, when they came for briefing. The Biologist looked it over and determined that it was was pretty weak and undernourished, but alert and hungry! It ate several meals of waxworms that day, and the biologist took it home for the night. She also made contact with a rehab specialist in the Escanaba area. On Aug. 21, the little owl made its way to the rehab specialist via two fire officers returning to Stephenson from the Sleeper Lakes Fire. The Rehab Specialist is Randy Bruntjens, himself a former fire officer.
Thank you Leslie for this wildlife update. I've had several readers, including my own son, wondering how the animals were holding out during this wildfire.
See more information, printed above, with photo of owl.
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Update: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 21
I heard, on a local television news report, that high winds took another 300 acres yesterday.
8 structures and 17 residents were evacuated, with 4 others leaving voluntarily, due to heavy smoke.
A C-215 aircraft, from Minnesota, arrived Monday night, which helped ground crews keep the fire from jumping more of the containment lines.
We are praying for rain, it looks like we could get some tonight, but unless we get hours of soaking steady rain, it probably will only put a small dent in putting out the fire, burning in the ground.
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Update: 7 a.m. Aug. 21
CR 407 is closed again today, from M-123 to Pine Stump Junction, due to the fire. Unsure how long this will be closed, be sure to contact local authorities, if you need to travel in that area, be sure to call ahead!
In some areas, electric may be turned off, temporally.
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Update: 11 p.m. Aug. 20
News tonight isn't good, with the high winds, today.
Electric was shut down for a while, so air operations & firefighters could fight this fire safely.
CR 407 is closed from M-123 to Pine Stump Junction, due to the fire on the western half of the area. Unsure how long this will be closed, be sure to contact local authorities, if you need to travel in that area, be sure to call ahead!
The Sleeper Lake Fire spread to unburned vegetation. An uncontained portion of the fire in a NW direction toward Pine Stump Junction. I believe the fire stayed within the fire perimeter in that area, but it forced appx. 25 residents to leave their home. Evacuated between Dawson Creek