The danger of wildfire is expected to be high in most of Michigan this Fourth of July weekend, warned fire officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The summer heat and lack of rain in the past month have pushed parts of Michigan into drought conditions increasing fire activity. So far this year, 356 fires have burned a total of 3,463 acres - far ahead of last season’s totals.

"When the weather is dry during the Fourth of July holiday, we respond to a lot of fires," said Lynne Boyd, DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management division chief. "With so many visitors in the forests and campgrounds this week, and the grass that has turned brown in many areas, our chances for wildfire have greatly increased."

Boyd urged Michigan citizens and visitors to be extremely careful with outdoor fires and fireworks. She offered the following suggestions:
 

Boyd also reminded citizens and visitors that fireworks will easily start fires in grassy or wooded areas, and that they should only be released in parking lots, driveways or other areas free of vegetation.

"Fireworks that explode or fly into the air are illegal in Michigan and are the cause of many fires each year," Boyd said. "The only items legal to use in Michigan are sparklers, cone fountains and snakes."