Fire Ban

Date: August 17, 2007
Contact: Tom Ulrich, 231-326-5134

PLEASE NOTE - THIS FIRE BAN WAS RESCINDED ON AUGUST 30, 2007.

An emergency fire ban has been implemented within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as of August 17, 2007. In accordance with Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5, the Superintendent has closed all areas of the Lakeshore except the D.H. Day and Platte River Campgrounds and designated picnic grills to smoking and the use of open fires. The ban includes all beaches and backcountry camping sites within the Lakeshore boundary.

“This emergency fire ban is in effect due to the high fire danger that currently exists in the Lakeshore,” said Tom Ulrich, Lakeshore Acting Superintendent. Ulrich issued the fire ban in concert with the statewide ban issued by Governor Granholm on Thursday. The fire ban is intended to not only protect the Lakeshore’s natural and cultural resources, but also to ensure the safety of park visitors. The ban will stay in effect until the Lakeshore area receives enough rainfall to substantially reduce the fire danger. 

Signs regarding this emergency fire ban will be posted throughout the Lakeshore to inform visitors of the ban. The Lakeshore will also be disseminating this information at the visitor center and on the park website. Open fires will still be allowed in the Lakeshore’s designated picnic grills and the two drive-in campgrounds. However, visitors in these areas are urged to use extreme caution with open fires, and ensure they are dead out.

“Construction of open fires, and even ignition sources such as smoking, are strictly prohibited during this emergency fire ban,” Ulrich added, “and violators are subject to fine and/or arrest. I urge all Lakeshore visitors to obey the ban in order to protect all of our safety, and to prevent the loss of park resources.”

For further information concerning the emergency fire ban at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, contact park headquarters at [phone].