Duck Lake Fire area to reopen to all property owners June 7; roads and trails to reopen June 11

Michigan Hand Crew MIS#1, made up of DNR employees,
is hard at work building fireline by hand in the areas where
bulldozers and other heavy equipment can't go (DNR photo).

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that the entire Duck Lake Fire area (in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County) will reopen to all property owners on Thursday, June 7, at 7 p.m.

Property owners will be required to check in at the M-123 and County Road 500 checkpoint for a placard that must be displayed at all times. Proof of ownership (such as a driver’s license or tax record) is required for entry. A placard will allow travel to and from property only. Law enforcement patrols will remain in the fire area and will be checking for placards.

All roads and trails will be reopened to non-residents on Monday, June 11, at 10 a.m.

The areas of Pike Lake, Culhane Lake, Bodi Lake and Little Lake Harbor were previously open only to residents who reside within the area. This opening will permit all landowners into the area.

The DNR reminds everyone that large fire equipment remains in the area. Landowners entering the area Thursday evening should drive slowly with lights on at all times. No re-entry will be allowed after 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. the following morning.

For more information on the Duck Lake Fire situation, visit www.michigan.gov/dnr (where you can sign up for wildfire incident updates via email or text message) or follow www.twitter.com/michiganDNR, www.twitter.com/michiganDNR_UP or www.facebook.com/miDNR.