BY SHERI MCWHIRTER
Editor's note: Sixth in a series of stories on the people, places and events that made news in northern michigan in 2008. To read previously published newsmaker articles, see record-eagle.com/newsmakers.
GRAYLING -- It was a dangerous -- and costly -- day in Crawford County.
A raging, wind-whipped wildfire on April 24 threatened the city of Grayling and burned to the edge of town, destroying three homes in the nearby Grayling Game Club. Hundreds of acres of timber were charred and city residents fled the area with hopes they'd see their homes again.
"We rounded up the animals, three dogs and three cats," said Carol Huhtala, who lives in a subdivision that was evacuated. "We saw flames at the edge of the street. I was worried because I didn't know if we'd lose everything."
Huhtala wasn't alone.
About 85 structures were seriously threatened by the wildfire and six were destroyed, including three homes and three outbuildings. The losses were staggering: $464,000 in timber damage and $372,816 in property damage, according to state statistics.
It also cost $116,674 to fight the fire that took a day to control. Nearly 70 firefighters from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources responded along with four other fire departments, plus state troopers and local sheriff's deputies who directed residents away from danger.
In the end around 1,345 acres burned, including 582 state-owned and 763 private acres. It was the year's largest wildfire in Michigan.
"We have always known the Grayling area has a lot of fires with the jack pine ecosystem. What was different about this fire was the city of Grayling was a bull's-eye," said Paul Kollmeyer, DNR fire prevention specialist.
It took quick work by firefighters to halt the blaze near some wetlands before it literally destroyed the town, he said.
"If it had gotten into town, there's no telling how devastating the losses could have been," said Robert Dixon, Grayling Township building official.
Two of the three burned homes are being re-built and repairs were done on a number of damaged garages, he said.
At the time local officials said the fire may have been sparked by a passing train on the southeast side of town near Four Mile Road. Now, state officials won't discuss the fire's possible cause because the attorney general's office has an ongoing investigation with potential prosecution in the works, Kollmeyer said.
In the meantime, oak, aspen and jack pine stands are naturally re-generating, although some re-planting efforts may happen next year, said Susan Thiel, DNR Grayling unit manager.
"We will let nature have a chance first," she said.
Fire is part of the natural jack pine ecosystem and nature may mend the blemished landscape on its own, Thiel said.
About 35,000 trees were planted at the Grayling Game Club, where 488 acres of torched timber were logged after the fire, said Tom McGee, club treasurer.
