Don’t Burn That Storm Debris

May 17, 2025

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking northern Michigan residents to reconsider burning debris from the March ice storm. “Our local fire departments are reporting that people in areas impacted by the storm are starting to burn debris, which is causing surrounding dry grass and leaves to catch on fire,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in a DNR press release. What to do instead? If you have a chipper, make wood chips! If you can transport the fallen branches, take them to one of 17 debris disposal locations Up North. (Find a list at Michigan.gov/IceStorm.) If you can wait, let the debris dry out over the summer and fall and burn when the ground is snow covered. And if you must burn, call 866-922-BURN to make sure weather conditions are safe for burning, especially on warm, dry days. 

Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR