Fire Burns More than 80 Acres in Ellison Bay

A brush fire scarred 80 – 100 acres near Timberline Road and Isle View Road in Ellison Bay Friday afternoon.

Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Chief Chris Hecht said at least three property owners were affected by the fire that was reported at 3:15 pm. The owner of the property where the fire is believed to have started was not home. Hecht said there were no injuries and a small outbuilding was the only structure damaged.

Smoke from a grass fire in Ellison Bay as seen from Isle View Road. The smoke was visible from south of Sister Bay.

He expected personnel to remain on the scene until at least 10 pm Friday, then return Saturday morning to check on the site. A cause has not been determined, though Hecht said officials were close to determining the origin of the fire Friday evening.

He said dry conditions in Northern Door were definitely a factor.

“Everyone knows we desperately need rain up here,” Hecht said. “I would strongly urge people not to burn right now, and if they do, to be extra cautious. Make sure the fire is completely out before you leave it alone.”

Mutual Aid came from the Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Baileys Harbor, Jacksonport and Gibraltar Fire Departments, as well as assistance with heavy machinery from John Fitzgerald Construction and Jacob Gransee’s Townline Timber tree service.

“Again, it shows the great cooperation we have in Door County between communities as well as between public and private entities,” Hecht said. “When you have business owners that will drop what they’re doing to help out it says a lot. We may not be unique in that case, but we sure are fortunate.”

Most of the land burned was described by Hecht as fallow fields and brush, though the fire did jump a private development road and reach the crowns of some 30-foot pine trees. Smoke from the blaze could be seen from south of Sister Bay. At 6:30 pm firefighters had the fire under control and were checking the perimeter of the fire to confirm no hot spots remained.