Michigan U.P. Wildfire Smoke and the Fine Fire Near Copperopolis

Wildfire smoke reached towns in Michigan's Upper Peninsula this week, while a new fire burned in the California foothills. There was also news on the cause of a major Colorado fire and on how California spots fires early.

Upper Peninsula fires bring an air quality alert

Two wildfires spotted by a Michigan Department of Natural Resources pilot on Friday, Oct. 9, are still burning in the Upper Peninsula. The Ridge Fire, about 10 miles northwest of Marquette, has burned about 450 acres and is 20% contained, and the Craig Lake Fire has burned about 400 acres and is 25% contained, the Detroit Free Press reports. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped crews make progress, and an evacuation order along County Road 510 has been lifted.

A wind shift on Monday pushed heavy smoke toward Negaunee, Ishpeming, Marquette and Michigamme. The DNR said the smoke was due to the wind and not a significant increase in fire activity, according to CBS News Detroit. An air quality alert covers Baraga, Marquette, Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties, and Wisconsin officials near the border also warned of smoke heading their way, MLive reports. Officials advise reducing long or intense outdoor activity while the alert is in place.

Fine Fire grows near the Calaveras-Stanislaus line

The Fine Fire grew to about 60 acres Monday afternoon in a rural foothill area south of Milton and about 15 miles northwest of Copperopolis, CBS News Sacramento reports. Cal Fire said it was spreading north at a moderate rate. The cause is not yet known.

Investigators name the cause of Colorado's Aspen Acres fire

A state investigation found that an aspen tree fell onto energized power lines and sparked the Aspen Acres fire in Custer County, KRDO reports. The report noted no lightning in the area and winds up to 50 mph when the fire started. The fire burned more than 102,000 acres, and around 850 structures were believed lost as of the last report.

California's wildfire cameras now number nearly 1,300

The Alert California network now has nearly 1,300 remote cameras watching fire-prone landscapes, and since 2023 artificial intelligence has scanned the footage to spot fires, often before a 911 call comes in, The Mercury News reports. The live camera views are available to anyone on the Alert California website.

A Colorado ballot measure on wildfire risk

In an opinion column in the Boulder Daily Camera, Mark Udall and Suzanne Jones argue for Proposition 137, which they say would dedicate about $175 million a year from existing sales tax on outdoor equipment to land and watershed protection, forest health and wildfire risk reduction. Colorado voters decide on it this November.

Sources

Michigan wildfire crews make progress in U.P. How much is contained — Detroit Free Press
Two wildfires continue to burn in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, smoke drifting over region — CBS News
Wildfires trigger Air Quality Alert over part of U.P., send smoke into Wisconsin — MLive Michigan
Fine Fire grows to 60 acres near Calaveras-Stanislaus county line — CBS News
'Tree and energized power lines:' What 'Aspen Acres' fire investigators say sparked the state's 5th most destructive wildfire — KRDO
How California is using AI and cameras to stop wildfires — The Mercury News
'Yes' on Prop 137 to protect our foothills, watersheds and future (Opinion) — Boulder Daily Camera

Canairy aggregates publicly reported air-quality and wildfire news and summarizes it in plain English, with links to the original sources. This is educational information, not medical or emergency advice. In a wildfire or air-quality emergency, follow guidance from local authorities.