Traverse City Record-Eagle

Crawford County

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    Grayling Fire
February 10, 2010

Trial could come soon in '08 Grayling fire

Identity of the suspect has not yet been revealed

By SHERI McWHIRTER

GRAYLING -- State officials could soon close the case on Michigan's largest wildfire of 2008, nearly two years after it blackened Crawford County's landscape.

The enormous blaze ignited southeast of Grayling on April 24, 2008, and raged northeast toward the city, fueled by strong winds and tinder-dry conditions in the area's jack pine forests. The fire consumed 1,345 acres and burned several houses to the ground, and forced residents to flee its path.

The state's cost to fight the fire exceeded $100,000, including the value of lost timber.

State officials indicated the blaze may have been sparked by human sources, but no one has been held responsible and the fire's origin remains a mystery to the public.

"We need to know how it started," said Terry Wright, Grayling Township supervisor.

The fire not only put homes and residents in danger, but also changed the area's scenery, he said. Much of the scorched private land south of town has been clear-cut, altering the area's otherwise densely forested features.

David Stephenson, Crawford County board chairman, said community members want answers.

"As we start getting into spring again, they'll start talking about it more and more," he said. "It was a huge threat that could have been devastating."

The public may know more in the near future, a state official said.

"Hopefully, the case will go to trial soon and everyone will know," said Scott Heather, wildfire supervisor for the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment. "We do have a responsible party."

Heather would not reveal the suspect's identity, but said state officials are "getting close" to going public with the information. The state Attorney General's office completed depositions on the case and could proceed to court within a month, Heather said.

Nick De Leeuw, spokesman for state Attorney General Mike Cox, declined to comment.

Officials speculated at the time of the fire that it may have been ignited by sparks from a passing train. The blaze originated near a railroad line owned by Saginaw-based Lake State Railway Company. A company official said that's not the case.

"We do not believe it was us that caused it," said Mark Nagy, company vice president.

Railroad officials, like Crawford County residents, also are anxious to know who is to blame, he said.

Michigan's next annual wildfire season will begin when the snow melts, currently predicted in late March or early April, said Kevin Sullivan, National Weather Service meteorologist.

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