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Record-breaking temps

News Photo by Jordan Spence Joann Kuschel plays badminton with her grandchildren Daphney Kuschel, 12, Tiffany, 11, and Peter, 9, (not pictured) in Presque Isle, Friday

ALPENA — Relief from the dry heat is not to be expected until late into next week.

“We have a really small chance on Monday (for rain), about 20 percent, and then we go into next week dry,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Andy Sullivan. “By Thursday night there’s a better chance for rain. But it’s pretty far out there and we’ll keep our fingers crossed. That’s the best chance we’ll have next week.”

He noted during the month of June Alpena was around 0.5 degrees above normal in temperature for the whole month.

“It was right around where it should be,” he said.

There were a couple of days where temperature records were set.

There was a record high of 96 on June 17 that broke the record from 2006. Then on June 30 there was a record high of 99 degrees, breaking the previous record from 1931, Sullivan said.

It’s going to remain warm, mainly in the 80s in the next week, he said.

“June had less than an inch of rain,” Sullivan said. That was two inches below normal. It’s extremely dry out there, I would hope people are careful associating with anything to do with fire. It’s going to remain warm. It’s going to be mainly in the 80s we’re not expecting any rain, either, so it’s not going to help. More of the same still very warm.”

In a statement, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said fire danger is expected to be high Saturday and Sunday, with increased wind speeds and low humidity in the forecast.

Sullivan noted the weather service also issued a fire danger warning. They take into account wind speeds, temperatures, humidity levels and fuel conditions which can combine to make ideal wildfire conditions.

“It doesn’t take much to start a wildfire,” said DNR Fire Prevention Specialist Paul Rogers. “Hot embers buried in ashes can flame up days after a campfire has been put ‘out.’ Even small fireworks like sparklers are hot enough to spark a fire if they’re not disposed of properly.”

Rogers said most wildfires in Michigan are caused by people.

“As of July 2, the DNR so far this year has responded to 213 wildfires on 1,049 acres,” he said. “Nearly half of those were caused by debris burning, campfires and fireworks.”

Jordan Spence can be reached via email at jspence@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.

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