High Winds Cause Electrical, Fire Problems

Yesterday’s high winds caused problems across the Western Upper Peninsula.

Power outages were reported in a number of locations. At one point, UPPCO reported 4,500 customers without power across its service area, and crews worked through the night. WE Energy also reported some outages.

Many trees were toppled. Local firefighters responded to some small wildfires. 

With wildfire danger high or very high across the U.P., the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging caution. Grass and leaves that were on the ground over the winter are very dry and can ignite easily from a spark or an ember. Isolated showers today are expected to do little to lessen the danger.

At this time, burn permits are not being issued anywhere in the entire Upper Peninsula.

See UPPCO’s outage map here. See WE Energy’s map here. Ontonagon REA has no real-time outage reporting.