Some areas closed by Duck Lake Fire will reopen to residents

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2012

 

Contact: Ada Takacs, 906-293-3293, ext. 4744 (information) or
Dean Wilson, 906-458-9130 (media)

 

 

Pike Lake, Bodi Lake, Culhane Lake and Little Lake Harbor
will open to evacuated residents on June 2

 

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that Pike Lake, Bodi Lake, Culhane Lake and Little Lake Harbor -- previously closed to any public access due to the Duck Lake Fire -- will open to evacuated residents and property owners at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 2.

 

Residents are advised to check in with fire officials at County Road 500 off M-123. Residents must bring proof of residence/ownership for entry. A driver’s license bearing the address of property in the fire zone is acceptable proof of residence/ownership. A driver’s license without an address in the fire zone is acceptable proof of ownership/residence, provided it is accompanied by a tax bill or utility bill with an address in the fire zone. The name on the tax bill or utility bill must match the name on the license.

 

The DNR advises all area residents to keep the following guidelines in mind for their own and others’ safety:

 

Re-evacuation is a possibility. Residents should:

▪         Display an entry placard at all times.

▪         Please check in and out when coming into or leaving restricted areas.

▪         Come and go as needed for supplies, but please keep trips to a minimum.

▪         Remember there is no re-entry after 9 p.m. until the following day at 9 a.m.

 

Remember to use caution when driving. Please:

▪         Respect the fact that there is still a lot of fire equipment in the area.

▪         Obey the 25-miles-per-hour speed limit.

▪         Drive with your lights on at all times.

▪         Expect delays. Emergency equipment has right of way.

 

Public and fire personnel safety is most important. Remember:

▪         While in the fire area, you’re required to remain on your property. Do not drive around the fire area or walk through wooded areas.

▪         Law enforcement will continue to be on scene and anyone causing a safety hazard could be removed from fire area.

▪         Standing/burned trees (snags) can tumble for no apparent reason.

▪         The fire has burned underground in many areas in duff and through tree roots. Therefore, trees that otherwise look healthy could fall for no apparent reason.

▪         Walking through blackened areas is not safe. Firefighters have fallen through duff into burning roots. Please do not allow your pets into blackened areas.

▪         Main roads have been cleared of snags. Driveways and private roads likely will have restricted access.

 

There is still an active fire in the area. Don’t be surprised to see:

▪         Continued scattered smokes and flaming stumps in the area.

▪         Many areas that appear to be unaffected. The fire did not burn 100 percent of fuels within the fire perimeter.

▪         The DNR Incident Management Team working with National Guard and infrared technology to identify hot spots in your area.

▪         Air operations continue. Please stay clear of any water drops.

 

More information regarding restrictions and access to additional areas will be shared as soon as it’s available.

 

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