NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) – In a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Facebook post, they cite that officials have updated the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive to “Set”.
Residents in this area are encouraged to monitor local emergency alerts, load vehicles with emergency equipment and valuables, and be ready to leave, as conditions can change quickly.
A DNR press release estimates the fire has grown to 256 acres.
The release says a temporary flight restriction is in place over both the Ridge Fire and the Craig Lake Fire for a five-nautical-mile radius and below 3,500 feet. The public is asked to avoid the area around the fire so suppression efforts aren’t interrupted. No drones are permitted to fly in the fire area.
“Both fires are fueled by a mix of conifers and hardwoods on ridge tops and a mix of balsam and spruce in the lowlands,” said Keith Murphy, DNR Incident Command. “Public safety and firefighter safety remain our top priority.”
There are currently 40 firefighters on the ground at the Ridge Fire. An incident management team is preparing to take over the management of both the Craig Lake Fire and the Ridge Fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The DNR is being supported by Michigan State Police, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and the DNR Law Enforcement Division.
Last published 10/11/26 12:26 p.m.
While crews battle the fire off County Road 510, some residents have been evacuated as a safety precaution.
A TV6 reporter at the scene spoke with a member of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources who said they evacuated four homes on County Road 510.
***Editor’s Note: After a phone call with the DNR’s U.P. Fire Specialist Keith Murphy on Sunday afternoon, it was revealed that the DNR had urged four homeowners to evacuate, but one had refused, so only three homes were successfully evacuated.***
The DNR member said the evacuations are temporary, and the residents were told they could return to their homes Sunday evening. The DNR member wasn’t able to share the exact size of the fire with the reporter.
Evacuation information
A Sunday afternoon Facebook post from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office has established an evacuation center at the Negaunee Township Hall at 42 East State Hwy M-35 in Negaunee Township. The Red Cross is assisting evacuees and their pets at the hall.
The post says officials have implemented the “Ready, Set, Go!” protocol for residents along North Basin Drive. The current status for residents is “Ready,” which means residents in the area are encouraged to:
Remove dry brush and debris within 30 to 100 feet of your home so firefighters can protect itPlan an evacuation routePack an emergency bag including medications, important documents, and pet suppliesMonitor information from the DNR and Marquette County Sheriff’s Office on social media and local news
The post says additional updates will be provided if the fire progresses and causes the protocol to reach the “Set” status.
Latest on the status of the fire
Lines are in place and holding, but the wildfire that started Friday afternoon in Negaunee Township has grown “significantly” due to the challenging terrain and the high winds, Murphy said in a Sunday morning phone call with TV6.
The fire, also known as the Ridge Fire, was first reported just after 4 p.m. on Friday off of County Road 510 near North Basin Drive in Negaunee Township.
The full scale of the fire, which was believed to be roughly two or three acres on Friday, is unknown at this time, but Murphy says the fire has grown “significantly” overnight with the high winds.
The DNR says they will provide more information later on.
A post from the Michigan DNR Facebook page says two Fire Boss aircraft from Minnesota and a Michigan State Police Aviation Unit Type 2 helicopter are assisting with fire suppression efforts by scooping and dropping water onto the fire.
The fire is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Marquette between County Road 510 and North Basin Drive in northern Marquette County.
Other wildfire responses
Murphy says the DNR is responding to several wildfires around the area, including one in Wakefield, one that is roughly 4 acres near Humboldt, another that is “small and contained” near Shingleton, and another that is roughly 1.5 acres in Luce County.
TV6 will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Outdoor recreation impacts
A Sunday afternoon post from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Facebook page says the Noquemanon trail system west of the 510 Trailhead is closed due to the Ridge Fire, and people should avoid the area.
Previous Coverage:
Brush fire starts in Negaunee Township
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