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  • Rod Rader, fire supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources, surveys damage from a wildfire that burned approximately 35 acres of state forest Saturday in Whitewater Township. Record-Eagle/James Russell

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  • A wildfire burned approximately 35 acres of state forest Saturday in Whitewater Township. Record-Eagle/James Russell

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June 12, 2012

Wildfire burns 35 acres of state land

Winds make it hard to control Whitewater Township blaze

BY JAMES RUSSELL, and BILL O'BRIEN jrussell@record-eagle.com, bobrien@record-eagle.com

WILLIAMSBURG — Donald Chilson and his wife have seen a number of wildfires knife through the forests near their North Broomhead Road home over the past 25 years.

In 1994, an errant spark from a burn barrel in Chilson's yard ignited a fire that spread to jack pine forests on state land near his home.

A few years ago, a burning pile of logs in a neighbor's yard sparked another blaze that took out 18 trees on Chilson's property.

So when thick, black smoke billowed above the forest near their house on Sunday, Chilson acknowledged more than a bit of nervousness.

"Needless to say, we're a little jumpy," Chilson said.

Authorities continue to investigate a wildfire that burned approximately 35 acres of state land in Whitewater Township Sunday.

Grand Traverse Rural Fire Chief Mike Stinson said fire was reported just after 3 p.m. near the intersection of Samels and North Broomhead roads south of M-72 near Williamsburg.

There were no injuries nor structures burned, Stinson said, but high winds and dry conditions made it difficult to control the blaze. It burned into the crowns of pine tree stands that are part of the Pere Marquette State Forest.

"It was very breezy," Stinson said. "That was the main problem, that it was up in the trees."

Rural fire crews from Williamsburg, Fife Lake, Kingsley and Interlochen responded, along with Metro Fire crews from Acme and East Bay. The DNR also responded, along with two departments from Kalkaska County. The blaze was brought under control by about 9 p.m., Stinson said.

The Chilsons did not have to vacate their home, but they kept a close eye on the smoke and the wind.

"We could smell it and see it billowing above the trees," Chilson said. "It was black then white, you could even see some yellow. And it was getting close."

Rod Rader, fire supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources' Traverse City office, was at the scene Monday with several crews in search of lingering hot spots. He also was at the 1994 fire in the same spot; in both cases, the remote area and the tough terrain made it a difficult fire to fight.

"We had to get some dozers in here just to plow on in," he said.

Fire officials hoped a batch of predicted but spotty showers Monday would douse lingering hot spots. But dry weather is expected to return today and into the weekend. Anyone burning brush or debris is advised to be careful.

The state allowed burning of brush in Whitewater Township on Sunday, but officials had no information on whether any permits were issued.

Chilson said he learned his lesson back in 1994. Even though he had a shovel and rake to put out any sparks, it didn't take long for one to spread.

"Now if I'm burning, I make sure I have a hose nearby," he said.

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