6 departments battle forest fire

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

OTTO TWP. — Firefighters from six area departments are battling a 20-acre forest fire on state land about a half mile north of the intersection of Skeels and Harris roads Sunday evening, May 3.

A firefighter on scene said no houses appeared to be in immediate danger other than an old hunting cabin. Fire crews from Grant Township, Montague, Blue Lake Township, Shelby-Benona Township and Ferry Township are on scene, as well as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Heavy smoke could be seen from 116th Avenue in the vicinity of the blaze.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, and no other information was immediately available. Fire crews began being dispatched shortly before 5 p.m., and were still on scene at 6:30 p.m. Firefighters on scene reported that the blaze was contained shortly before 7 p.m.

Burning is not currently allowed in Oceana County, as well as most of the state, due to the dry, windy conditions.