Wildfire closes Michigan campgrounds, trails at national park in Upper Peninsula

Fire in Upper Peninsula national park

A wildfire broke out at the Isle Royale National Park on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, closing several campgrounds and trails. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. (Photo provided by National Park Services)

HOUGHTON, MI – Several campgrounds and trails in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula remain closed after a wildfire ripped through the area on Saturday, Aug. 13, burning around 10 acres.

The cause of the fire at Isle Royale National Park remains under investigation, according to a Sunday press release from National Park Services.

No injuries were reported. The 10:51 a.m. Aug 14 release did not include the current status of the fire.

On Saturday, park staff received reports of a plume of smoke coming from an apparent wildfire burning in the area of Three Mile campground.

Isle Royale firefighters responded to the area and discovered a small fire burning at the junction of the Tobin Harbor trail and Mt. Franklin trail. The initial assessment measured the fire at about five acres. Visitors were evacuated from Three Mile and Lane Cove campgrounds.

Visitors were also contacted and brought in from the Rock Harbor, Tobin Harbor, Mt. Franklin, and Greenstone Ridge trails for their safety.

Later in the day, the fire grew to roughly 10 acres. To help prevent further spread until additional help arrived, a single engine air tanker from Minnesota dropped 4,000 gallons of water on the fire late in the afternoon.

The following closures are in place until further notice for the health and safety of visitors and employees:

  • Mount Ojibway Trail
  • Lane Cove Trail and Campground
  • Three Mile Campground and Dock
  • Greenstone Ridge Trail from the Daisy Farm Trail junction east to the Tobin-Duncan Portage Trail junction
  • Rock Harbor Trail between Daisy Farm Campground and Rock Harbor
  • Mount Franklin Trail
  • Tobin Harbor Trail
  • Suzy’s Cave Trail
  • Cross-Country Camping Zones 8, 8A, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13, 33 and 36 are closed for camping as well as cross-country day use.

Park staff are working closely with the Rock Harbor Lodge, Isle Royale Queen IV, and Voyageur II to provide visitor transportation and fire information while the closures are in place.

Officials are asking those who were in the area of Three Mile trail and campground, Tobin Harbor trail, or Mount Franklin trail on Aug. 12-13 to submit a tip by calling 888-653-0009 or emailing nps_isb@nps.gov.

The fire status will be continually evaluated. Closed areas will be signed where possible and monitored to ensure compliance. These closures will remain in place until rescinded.

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