Low humidity, gusty winds and high temperatures in the forecast have spurred a red flag warning for fire danger in mid-Michigan and much of the state, according to the National Weather Service.
That warning, which begins at 8 a.m. this morning and continues through 8 p.m. tonight, advises that any sort of spark has the potential to cause grass and forest fires.
“Any fires that start on Tuesday will have a chance to become a wildfire that spreads quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the warning reads.
Relative humidity in central Michigan is expected to be around 25 percent, while temperatures could climb above 80 degrees and wind gusts could reach 35 miles per hour, a recipe for “extreme fire behavior” the warning notes.
Camping, outdoor grills, smoking material, chain saws and all terrain vehicles all have the potential to throw a spark and ignite a fire.
As temperatures heated up through the weekend, fire departments in Isabella, Clare and Gratiot Counties all fielded grass and other fire calls related to dry conditions as the department of Natural resources issued a “no burn” status.
Shepherd Fire Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire and Mt. Pleasant Fire worked to battling a grass and woods fire on Wise Road between Remus and Broomfield Saturday afternoon, according to Isabella County Central Dispatch.
Clare County Central Dispatch reported on its Facebook page Monday that smoke in the county was likely from a wildfire to the south of the area, and warned residents that conditions were dangerous for fires.
Near Lake Isabella, firefighters from Deerfield Township Fire Department battled a wildfire that was as big as one mile by one mile for much of Monday, according to reports.