Mich. Forest Wildfire Damages Homes, Forces Evacuations

A wildfire that started in eastern Michigan’s Huron National Forest and spread across 500 acres forced the evacuation of 100 residents and damaged at least three homes, police said July 30.

State police Sgt. Tim Gronda said the fire was contained, but firefighters planned to monitor it for several days to make sure it does not rekindle.

No injuries were reported in the fire, which started Sunday afternoon about 130 miles north of Detroit. Nearly all residents were allowed to return to their homes by Sunday night, Gronda said.

Police said the fire scorched acres of jack pine trees, but they did not know the cause or exact starting point. U.S. Forest Service and Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials continued to investigate Monday morning.