Although most people have no intention of setting in motion the forces that could destroy homes, impact lives and wipe out many, many acres of forest, each year we learn of devastating wildfires that are caused by careless behavior.

According to Paul Kollmeyer, the DNR's fire prevention program coordinator, wildfire consumes over four million acres in the U.S. each year, including thousands of acres right here in Michigan.

The threat of wildfire, he said, has increased because more people are building homes in suburban and rural areas and are using fire as a means to clean up yard waste and dispose of brush on their property.

"More than 90% of Michigan's wildfires are caused by humans," Kollmeyer said. "More than one-third of those fires were started by burning debris, such as yard waste or brush."

As Michigan observes this year's Wildfire Prevention Week, April 15-22, some citizens may look around them and think the early spring storms have taken the edge off the wildfire danger. Not so, said Kollmeyer.

"The dried matter from last year is still there, and all it will take is a couple of typical warm, breezy spring days, and folks with a notion to clean up the yard after a long winter will want to burn," he said. "Just one strong wind gust and suddenly, we have a wildfire."

The current serious economic situation facing state government only adds to the problem.

This year, the DNR has only 81 fire officers spread out across the entire state to handle all the wildfires that crop up. The recommended minimum is 100 fire officers. Compound that with the fact that it will be difficult to hire temporary help to fight fire, and the potential for a serious problem grows exponentially.

"Michigan's forests contribute significantly to our state's conomy and our quality of life," said DNR Forest, Minerals and Fire Management Chief Lynne Boyd. "We all must work together to prevent wildfires and protect our homes, property and important forest resources."

Boyd said the economic impact of Michigan's forests is an estimated 200,000 jobs and $12 billion annually in the form of travel, eco-tourism, hunting, fishing, camping, assorted recreational uses and timber-related products.

The history of wildfires in Michigan dates back to the early logging days. Extensive logging activity in the 1870s harvested white pine that once covered the Michigan landscape. Large expanses of slash -- the branches and debris left over from logging activity -- covered the forest floor. Many areas were cleared for farming and the slash was burned to get rid of it. Catastrophic fires resulted. In fact, one such fire in the late 1870s, near Saginaw Bay, claimed 200 lives and burned 1.2 million acres.

More recently, the Stephan Bridge Fire in 1990 in Crawford County was one of the most destructive wildfires in Michigan's history, destroying over 200 structures in one afternoon. Losses from that fire were estimated at $5.5 million.

The 1999 Tower Lake Fire in Marquette County devoured 5,625 acres of forest land and caused more than $2 million in damages. That fire was later traced to a campfire that had not been completely extinguished.

Today, extensive public awareness campaigns are launched each spring by the DNR and its firefighting partners to remind the public about the dangers of wildfires.

"Most importantly, our mission is to educate people on how to prevent wildfires," Kollmeyer said. "Since the vast majority of wildfires in Michigan are caused by people burning yard debris in the spring, the best method of fire prevention is educating our citizens."

The DNR reminds citizens during Wildfire Prevention Week:

• Always obtain a burning permit, which is free, before doing any outdoor burning. Go online to www.michigan.gov/burnpermit if you live north of a line from Oceana to Bay counties (excluding Isabella County) or call (866) 922-2876. In the southern Lower Peninsula, contact your local fire or sheriff department.
• Monitor the weather and never burn on windy days.
• You have a duty to remain with your fire until it is completely extinguished. Keep adding water and stirring the ashes until it is completely out.
• Burn your trash in a safe incinerator that includes a heavy mesh screen with holes not greater than three-quarter inch. Make sure the barrel is in good condition. Remove all combustibles near the fire area.
• If your fire escapes, immediately call 911 or your local fire dispatch.