LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- With warm, dry weather raising the risk of wildfires, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment is reminding property owners that open debris burning is prohibited.
The DNRE isn’t issuing burn permits because a lack of snow on the ground has increased the potential for fires throughout the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.
More than half of the wildfires occurring statewide this year have been caused by property owners burning debris. DNRE fire prevention specialist Paul Kollmeyer suggests that property owners compost yard waste or chip brush into mulch rather than burn it.
Kollmeyer also reminds residents that if they burn outdoors now and the fire escaped their control, they will be held liable for the cost of putting out the fire.
People can check burning conditions in their area by calling 866-922-2876 toll-free or going to www.michigan.gov/burnpermit. The interactive map on the site lists burning conditions by county down to the township level.
