Elk Rapids Fire Department

06/01/2026

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🔥 HIGH FIRE DANGER ACROSS NORTHERN MICHIGAN 🔥

Before you burn, check first!

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources continues to restrict open debris burning across much of northern Michigan as dry conditions and elevated fire danger persist.

The National Weather Service in Ga***rd reports that low humidity, drying vegetation, and gusty winds continue to create conditions that support the rapid start and spread of wildfires.

🟫 Brown Counties:
No burn permits are currently being issued.

⬜ Gray Counties:
Burn permits are not issued electronically. Contact the DNR for permit information.

Before conducting any outdoor burning:

✅ Check current burn permit conditions before burning
✅ Keep a hose, water source, or firefighting tools nearby
✅ Never leave a fire unattended
✅ Fully extinguish campfires before leaving
✅ Avoid activities that may create sparks in dry vegetation
✅ Use extra caution with trailers, equipment, and vehicles around dry grass

🏕️ Small recreational campfires contained within a fire ring or fire pit are generally not affected by debris burning permit restrictions. Campfires should always be attended and completely extinguished when finished.

⚠️ Remember: Anyone conducting outdoor burning may be held financially responsible for fire suppression costs, property damage, and other losses resulting from an escaped fire.

📍 Check current burn conditions:
https://www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits/

📞 Burn Permit Information:
866-922-BURN (866-922-2876)

🔥 Be Responsible.
📋 Be Prepared.
🌲 Be Firewise.

Only YOU can prevent wildfires.

— Norman Township Fire Department

05/25/2026

If you happen to see a Vet today be sure to thank him for his service!

05/20/2026

04/28/2026

Make sure your batteries are UL listed and watch out for the cheap Chinese junk!

The Mackinac Island Fire Chief is warning residents after an e-bike battery fire sparked a structure fire early Saturday morning, April 25, in a building on Cadotte Avenue near 2nd Street.

Chief Jason St. Onge said the battery had been stored inside what was described as an “explosion-proof bag,” but said the bag failed to contain the fire and was destroyed. The building’s electricity had reportedly been disconnected weeks earlier following prior flooding, and the battery was not charging at the time.

No injuries were reported.

DETAILS: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/e-bike-battery-fire-damages-mackinac-island-building-chief-warns-of-risks

04/21/2026

Thanks to our neighbors to the south as well .. CPR instructors are hard to come by these days!

FF / EMT Tylus Francisco and Chief Morgan are teaching a refresher BLS CPR course for Elk Rapids Fire Department this evening.

We value our partnership with our neighbors to the north and are glad to support their training efforts.

04/14/2026

We are slowly getting our Drone up and running and thought we would share some pics of our recent Ice Rescue Training and how versatile the Drone is. As you can see it has both HI Res and Infra Red capacity. Looking forward to serving the community better with this great new tool!

04/14/2026

04/13/2026

Did you know ... that it's almost spring?!? For the fire department, that means it's almost wildland fire season.

Over the last few years, there have been numerous instances of wildfires causing structure fires in the northern Michigan region. You can help us by looking at your property with an eye toward defensible space while you are doing your spring cleanups! The attached image shows some ways to create defensible space on your property, and the firewise.org website offers many more tips!

04/13/2026

This week, April 12–18, we celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week! We want to take a moment to shine a light on the incredible men and women right here at Grand Traverse 911. 💛

Before the first responders arrive. Before the lights and sirens. There is a voice.

Our telecommunicators are on the other end of the line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, holidays, birthdays, and everything in between. They answer your call when you're scared, hurt, or in crisis. They stay calm so you can too. They dispatch help with precision while managing multiple emergencies at once. They are, without a doubt, the first of the first responders.

This week, and every week, we are so proud of the team here at Grand Traverse 911. Their dedication to this community is unwavering, and the work they do saves lives, right here in our corner of Northern Michigan.

To our dispatchers: THANK YOU. You are seen. You are appreciated. And this community is safer because of you.

03/23/2026

ERFD was on hand to help fill the tank for the MI Special Olympics Polar Plunge held at Shorts Pull Barn on March 21. Great time for a great cause!