Recent actions by law enforcement agencies in Northeast Michigan. This has been only lightly edited.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

May 3-16

MONTMORENCY COUNTY

CO Sidney Collins responded to a land fire. A nearby homeowner admitted to setting trash and several household items on fire in his burn pit then walking inside, not attending the fire. When the subject noticed a vehicle in the driveway, he came out with a weapon to find a local fire officer notifying him of the fire. The subject was written a ticket for failure to prevent spread of fire and was given verbal warnings for burning on a no permit day and burning household items.

CO Sidney Collins stopped several ORVs for minor violations. Verbal warnings were given for wrong placement of ORV stickers, no license on person, and no ORV safety permit.

CO Sidney Collins responded to a dirt bike accident. The subject was scratched up and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. While interviewing other subjects at the scene, it was found that two other ORV riders had suspended drivers’ licenses. Both were issued tickets for driving without a license. Their dirt bikes were towed, and they were given a ride back to their cabin.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Albert Township in Montmorency County when he overheard radio traffic on the DNR fire frequency about a yard fire close to his location. CO Liestenfeltz responded and was first to arrive on scene. CO Liestenfeltz observed the fire being extremely close to the house and was continuing to grow very rapidly. CO Liestenfeltz contacted the homeowners who were asleep at the time and had no idea their yard was on fire. After making contact, CO Liestenfeltz went to the back of the house where he noticed the flames were underneath the porch and were very close to catching the home on fire. CO Liestenfeltz was able to put out that area of the fire before causing too much damage to the home. It was determined that the individuals inside the home had been burning trash in a barrel and did not feel the need to watch it. A ticket was issued for failing to prevent the spread of fire.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was checking anglers along the Thunder Bay River in Atlanta when he observed one of the younger subjects put down his fishing pole when he saw the CO. After making contact, the subject stated he had a fishing license, but did not have it on him. After doing a license check, it was determined that the subject never had a fishing license. After having a long discussion with the young subject explaining that honesty goes a long way, a ticket was issued for fishing without license in possession.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Albert Township in Montmorency County when he observed a quad driving towards him down the middle of the road and the operator did not have a helmet on. CO Liestenfeltz turned around to stop the ORV and right before he initiated the stop, the ORV drove into the left-hand turn lane of the road for approximately 100 yards passing three vehicles and running other vehicles off the roadway. CO Liestenfeltz was eventually able to stop the ORV and it was determined that the operator was also lacking his ORV licenses. CO Liestenfeltz issued the subject tickets for operating an ORV on a public highway, carless operation of an ORV, no helmet, and no ORV license.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Briley Township in Montmorency County when he observed a quad drive past him with two people on it. CO Liestenfeltz stopped the ORV and it was determined that the operator was operating on a suspended license. CO Liestenfeltz issued the operator a ticket for riding double and a written warning for driving on a suspended license. The passenger of the ORV drove them away from the scene.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz responded to a small brush fire in Montmorency Township. It was determined that a subject had been burning in a poorly contained fire pit and the fire escaped causing damage to the subject’s property and adjacent state land. CO Liestenfeltz issued the subject a ticket for failing to prevent the spread of fire.

PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY

CO Jon Sklba was patrolling the Tower Pond area when he observed a subject fishing from shore. CO Sklba contacted the angler who did not expect to be checked. Upon investigation, it was found that the subject was also littering and smoking marijuana in public. A ticket was issued.

CO Jon Sklba was patrolling the Black River in Cheboygan County when he observed a subject fishing in a closed section of the river. Contact was made with the individual who was unaware that portion of the river was closed. CO Sklba advised the subject that several signs were posted of the spawning closure in that portion of the river as well as in the fishing guide. A ticket was issued for fishing in a closed stream.