A wildfire destroyed a garage, three temporary structures, a trailer and a boat in the Forest Lake area of Arenac County on Sunday. But firefighters say they saved more than a dozen homes and outbuildings as the fire scorched 36 acres. The Alger Area Fire Department says a resident’s bonfire burned out of control toward a wooded area Sunday afternoon. The wind pushed flames toward several residences in the Forest Lake area. Alger firefighters called for assistance from Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildland firefighting crews from Standish, Gladwin, West Branch, Roscommon, Mio and Beaverton. The Sterling, Mills Township and Standish/Omer fire departments in Arenac County also responded to help. Fire crews evacuated residents in the area while they worked to bring the fire under control. Some residents stayed behind to help fire crews wet down the affected area while contractors provided bulldozers to help cut fire lines.
