The Grayling wildfire is 85% contained;  Source Private property campfire

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the latest information from state officials.

Firefighters worked through the night Saturday to battle a wildfire in Crawford County near Grayling that grew to an estimated 2,400 acres, forced temporary evacuations by emergency crews and closed I-75 for much of Saturday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said.

The DNR said on Facebook that the wildfire was about 85% contained as of noon Sunday. I-75 was reopened in both directions and evacuations were ordered has been lifted.

According to the DNR’s Laurie Abel, the fire started around 1 a.m. Saturday on private property.

Image of a wildfire in Crawford County, Mich.  A campfire caused a fire on Saturday, June 3, 2023.  As of Sunday morning, June 4, 2023, it was 85%, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

DNR firefighters, along with local and federal firefighters, are battling the blaze in Grayling Township, about four miles southeast of Grayling. The fire has moved west and southwest and many buildings are under threat.

“Crews were working in hilly, sandy terrain and it was tough,” said Mike Janis, incident commander with the Michigan DNR Incident Management Team, which supported the fire. “Weather conditions were hot, dry and windy.”

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