LOCAL BEAT: Fire and Wreckage

The editorial policy for the local paper excludes coverage of fires and traffic accidents.

Chief suspects limb downed by high winds ignited Williamsburg wildfire

Submitted April 15, 2023

WILLIAMSBURG — The Whitewater Township Fire Department responded, with assistance from Elk Rapids FD, to a wildfire reported shortly before 5 p.m. on April 12 near the intersection of Elk Lake Road and Palaestrum Road. The fire burned eastward, downhill and with the prevailing wind, across about an acre of dry grass and did not ignite any trees or reach any built structures.

“We think it started from a tree that fell,” said WTFD Chief Brandon Flynn. The uprooted tree fell across multiple electrical lines, likely bridging circuits and generating sparks, he said. Wind speeds up to 21 mph were recorded at Cherry Capital Airport on April 12.

Emergency responders were able to get in front of the fire’s advance and stop it, using fire engines and navigating off-road with an all-terrain vehicle. Flynn said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued no-burn orders across most of the state last week. To see if conditions are fit for open burns, visit michigan.gov/burnpermit

High-speed chase on US 31 passes through Elk Rapids

Submitted May 17, 2023

ELK RAPIDS — A suspect who had been fleeing police at high speed crashed in the vicinity of US 31 and Sutter Road on the night of Wednesday, May 10. The chase was terminated prior to the crash and state police investigators are looking into the cause, said the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department.

“There was a call that came in from citizens ... about a vehicle driving recklessly, into oncoming traffic,” said Lieutenant Brinks. “A deputy around Acme Corners, 72 & 31, witnessed the vehicle drive through that intersection, through a red light. That deputy attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled, going north.”

The driver of the Jeep Wrangler was a 50-year-old male from Traverse City who was transported to Munson Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the crash, said Brinks.

“We’re investigating to find out right now why it happened, what he was running for,” said Lt. Brinks. “We don’t know why he didn’t stop.”