LUZERNE, Mich. – A wildfire had charred about 6,000 acres of northern Michigan forest Tuesday, damaging more than a dozen buildings and forcing residents to flee rural homes.
The blaze, mostly in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, was more than 90 percent contained Tuesday morning, said Catherine Salm, spokeswoman for the forest. Fire crews were expecting rain showers and reduced wind, she said.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire, which began Sunday, had not been determined.
At least eight outbuildings, six cabins and one trailer had been damaged or destroyed, Salm said.
An estimated 35 people evacuated their homes in Crawford County, said Larry Akers, local emergency management coordinator. Many others were believed to have fled in Oscoda County, emergency coordinator Tim London said.
The area is very dry, and the Department of Natural Resources has stopped issuing outdoor fire permits in the northern part of the state.
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