Dramatic image from the second day of the fire. The Sleeper Lake Fire north of Newberry ended up being the third largest in the state's history at over 18,000 acres.     I love this shot of the upper peninsula and Lake Superior. It was very windy that day and the smoke from our fire was visible in the straights area,  70 miles away. Because of the wind, the fire grew larger and was traveling fast toward the town of Newberry. It moved about 15 miles from where it had started.

 The next morning was calm. The fire had gotten to within 5 miles of town but then it stood straight up and held. Later the wind blew it back to the north where it threatened to jump the road and start burning people's homes, businesses and camps.
 
Here's an actual DNR update from the department's website - Sleeper Lake Fire Update 8/7/2007 - 5:30 p.m.
 UPDATE: The fire is within ½ mile of County Road 407 and Pine Stump Junction.
The Perch Lake Forest Campground and the Two Hearted River Canoe Campground have been evacuated. Old Headquarters and High Bridge Forest Campgrounds are closed. Power provided by Cloverland Electric Cooperative has been shut off between 8 Mile Corner and Deer Park until further notice. An advance of the northwest line of the fire has forced the evacuation of residents along County Road 407 from the M-123 intersection, north of the village of Newberry, to Pine Stump Junction. County Road 407 in the same area has been closed, as of 1 p.m., until further notice. M-123 has been reopened as of noon today. No structures have been lost, and no injuries have been reported. The plan for today, as it stands at this time, is to continue to prepare the area along County Road 407 for possible fire impacts. Plans are in place in the event further road closures become necessary. Access to the evacuated areas remains prohibited. Campers in the Muskallonge Lake State Park are advised that their only routes for leaving the park are to the east to Paradise or west to Grand Marais.
Current statistics: Size: About 16,000 acres. The fire is moving north towards the northern fire line, all divisions are improving & extending lines as much as possible while maintaining current lines. The north fire line will be tested today. Containment is currently estimated at 10%, with the only solid controlled line along M-123. Crews are working to establish a fire line to the east of homes along County Road 407, and lighting backfires toward the leading edge of the fire in the Dawson Creek area.
Location: Between County Road 407, M-123 and East Branch of the Two-Hearted River. The fire has not crossed M-123.
M-123 reopened at 12 p.m. today. It had been closed from 4-Mile Corner to County Road 500. Travelers should exercise caution traveling on this road and watch for the presence of firefighters. They should be aware that road construction is being on done on M-123 beginning at a point about ½ mile south of County Road 500. Evacuation remains in effect from Widgeon Road south to Murphy Creek, and along County Road 420. This is a precautionary evacuation to avoid a more rushed evacuation in the event that the wind should change or pick-up. No structures are expected to be involved unless the wind picks up later in the afternoon.
Resources: 220 people (DNR, USFWS, numerous Volunteer Fire Departments, local Red Cross Chapter and local keyman firefighters working for DNR. Air Support -Six Helicopters from Camp Grayling with 700 and 2,000 gallon water buckets.
The CL 215 water bombers returned from Minnesota to assist and will remain on the scene as long as they are not called back to Minnesota. They are currently working to protect the Pine Stump Junction area.
In addition, the Wisconsin DNR added 6 tractor plows with pumpers and one tracked marsh vehicle, and a crew of 20 personnel today.
Tuesday Weather: Sunny skies continue today, with south/southeast winds at 6 mph, gusting to 18 mph. Winds are expected to shift to southwest at about 5 p.m. There is less than a 20-percent chance of precipitation today, and any rain is expected to be minimal. Later tonight winds are expected to become north/northwest, which may help halt the fire's northward progress.
 
Here's the county map  I was keeping in the store as the fire broke out and began to grow and shift.


 

 
 
The next year for the Fourth of July Parade, we saluted the fire fighters.
 
 
 
 

For further information contact:
The Old Bank Collection of Shops - 318 Newberry Avenue - Newberry, Michigan 49868
(906) 293-9901
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