Up North Progressive

A wildfire burning since June on Poverty Island is sixty percent contained according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The fire started by lightning strike on June 26, 2016 and so far burned around 127 acres. Fire fighting efforts focused on saving a historic lighthouse.

By using controlled burns to remove vegetation, fire fighters from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Forest Service have contained enough of the fire on the island to save the lighthouse and two other structures. There are no other buildings on the island.

Recent rain will also help with controlling the fire. High winds could push smoke far enough where it may be viewed from a distance. The fire is being monitored from the air, and will likely be completely contained once rain and winter snow help put out the fire.

Poverty island is located in northern Lake Michigan, on the southern tip of Garden Peninsula.