You would not have wanted to walk to where these photos were taken: Where the Moose Roam – when they want a challenge
The Culprit: A spruce tree dropped onto and over – a WE Energies power line causing sparks and heat on very windy day.
By Greg Peterson
News Director, Owner
Upper Peninsula Breaking News
Questions: 906-273-2433
**Editor’s Note – we understand USFS Upper Peninsula Fire Jumpers are being called out west yet again to help thousands of firefighters battling the numerous large fires – keep ’em in your prayers please
(Michigamme, MI) – The most difficult wildfire to fight in Marquette County so far this year was in one of the worst areas you could imagine.
This was eight miles up the Peshekee Grade – near Lake Arflin. The road to the wildfire is almost as bad as the terrain burned.
The paved road (Peshekee Grade) immediately off U.S. Highway 41 – has been a joke for years as one of the worse – if not the absolute worst – roads in the county.
We are talking remote – its even two miles north of where the Great Upper Peninsula Moose-Lift occurred in the 80s – where moose were literally dropped in by helicopters.
We have more exclusive photos this morning – and regarding our previous air photos of the Peshekee Fire – we thank the DNR pilots who took photos and thank the DNR officials who did not stand in there way of release to U.P. Breaking News.
http://upbreakingnews.com/DNRBattlesPeshekeeFireThruWeekeend
The Michigan DNR and other firefighters spent five days putting out the 35 acre fire.
The fire struck on Monday, June 20, 2016 – a very windy day.
That wind took down a spruce tree that landed on a WE Energies power line – an act of God so to speak. Lots of firefighters from across the U.P. helped battled the fire for 5 days and numerous DNR off-road firefighting vehicles were needed to stop and mop up the fire that saw embers racing in 30 mph winds.
DNR pilots provided eyes in the sky. It was an expensive fire especially as wildfires under 40 acres go.
Because high winds brought down the limb and investigators apparently did not find negligence, WE Energies is not at fault – rather – it falls under ‘Acts of God’ rather that improperly maintaining the power line or right of way through tree trimming and tree clearances.
Peshekee Grade road – about two miles north of Dishno Road – the road to Clear Lake.
The fire involves dry slashings from an “old clear cut” -and slowed when it moved into wooded areas with Maple, Spruce and Balsam. The blaze “fingered” with a slim small area of fire along a rock nob and dangerous cliff rims.
Thankfully our firefighters stopped the wildfire.
I understand USFS Fire Jumpers from the U.P. are being deployed out west – and lets hope we don’t have another wildfire like a few years back in Newberry. May God be with you – and protect you from her Acts of God.
Aerial photos of the 2016 Peshekee Fire courtesy MI DNR and pilot Gordon Zuehlke
Air photos by MI DNR pilot Gordon Zuehlke
http://upbreakingnews.com/DNRBattlesPeshekeeFireThruWeekeend
LakeArflin
Dishno Road
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dishno+Rd,+Michigan/@46.5940959,-87.9393797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4d51a48edebdad23:0x53bb4dc656d480bb!8m2!3d46.5940959!4d-87.937191
Keith Murphy
Fire Management Specialist
Michigan DNR-Marquette ICC
110 Ford Rd
Marquette, MI 49855
(c) 906-250-1382
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Michigan wildfires suppressed by the Department of Natural Resources to date and compared to last year.
Michigan DNR pilot Dean Minett
Michigan DNR pilot Neil Harri
Michigan DNR pilot Bill Green
Michigan DNR pilot Gordon Zuehlke
Wildfires and Acres Burned Last Week By Region
Wildfires and Acres Burned To Date Compared to Last Year
Wildfires and Acres Burned to Date By Region
Wildfires to Date By Cause
Acres Burned to Date By Cause
Michigan Smoke Management Plan 
Marquette County DNR Fire Officer Contacts:
John Mattila
Forest Fire Officer
Phone: 906-353-6651 Ext. 113
mattilaj@michigan.gov
Brian Mensch
Forest Fire Officer Supervisor
Phone: 906-353-6651 Ext. 106
menschb@michigan.gov
Jay Osterberg
Forest Fire Officer
Phone: 906-786-2354 Ext. 7862140
osterbergj@michigan.go
Steve Sanville
Forest Fire Officer Supervisor
Phone: 906-786-2354 Ext. 7862136
sanvilles@michigan.gov
James Johnston
Forest Fire Officer
Phone: 906-346-9201 Ext. 18
Dan Nathan
Forest Fire Officer
Phone: 906-346-9201 Ext. 26
nathand@michigan.gov
Kay Countryman
Forest Fire Officer
Phone: 906-485-1031 Ext. 312
countrymank@michigan.gov
Pete Glover
Forest Fire Officer Supervisor
Phone: 906-346-9201 Ext. 11
gloverp@michigan.gov
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Escanaba Field Office
Phone: 906-786-2354
FAX: 906-786-2384
Gwinn Field Office
410 West M-35
Gwinn, MI 49841
Baraga Field Office
427 US 41 North
Baraga, MI 49908
Ishpeming Field Office
1985 US 41 South
Ishpeming, MI 49849
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-30301_30816—,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-30301_30816_44539—,00.html
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Marquette_County_(MI)
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10366_54559_10402-364282–,00.html
Marquette Customer Service Center
1990 US-41 South, Marquette MI 49855
906-228-6561
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Upper Peninsula Breaking News is a news service in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Only requirement to use our stories, photos, videos etc. is to give mandatory credit for use of audio, video, graphics and online uses.
Questions call 906-273-2433
News Director, Owner
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 