Michigan wildfires destroy nearly 100 buildings

GlobalPost

Homes and cabins make up a third of the nearly 100 buildings destroyed by wildfires burning across Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Among the lost properties is Pike Lake Resort, near Pike Lake in Luce County, reported the Associated Press. The Rainbow Lodge, located on the Two Hearted River — one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite streams — was badly damaged.

"I was still hoping that they would stop it," Pike Lake Resort owner Diane Ricketts said to the AP of the fire. "With my husband gone, I'm not going to rebuild. We're just going to go on and take it day by day and see what's going to happen."

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The Duck Lake fires began when lightning struck last week and burned more than 21,000 acres (34 square miles) by Monday, according to NBC News. Parts of Michigan are extremely dry, and fireworks and outdoor burning have been banned in 49 of the state's 83 counties.

Around 230 people from several states are helping to contain the fire, reported ABC 7 in Michigan. Two air tankers from Minnesota and four planes from the Michigan National Guard are also working to put out the flames.

According to the AP, people in Newberry, the closest community to the fires, brought out homemade signs thanking firefighters. "You Rock!!" said one. Another said, "Until every hero comes home."

As of Sunday night, ABC reported the fire was 48 percent contained.

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