Posted on Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
Grass fire closes southbound U.S. 23 in Northfield Township
By John Counts
Multiple grass fires closed a portion of southbound U.S. 23 between Eight Mile and Six Mile roads in Northfield Township about 7 p.m. Friday.
At that time, officials expected the road to be closed for about an hour.
According to the Scio Fire Department, there were about six to eight fires that started in the grass along the freeway. The fires were reportedly creeping up toward some houses in the area.
Fire departments from Ann Arbor Township, Scio, Dexter, Hamburg, Putnam and South Lyon were dispatched to the scene.
No other information was immediately available.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Judy
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.
Well I am just glad after the freeway was closed people driving on Main Street from US 23 South could not drive more then 35 MPH because that is the "speed limit" at the south end of town!
dogon
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
Today is Sunday, August 5. This fire seems like news to me. However, AA.com has nothing on it at all. How many acres? Possible cause of 'multiple fires'? This is why I just don't bother much with this out-of-state crummy excuse for local news.
dexterreader
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
After Colorado, and now Oklahoma City, the thought of any fire in these drought conditions is scary. Kudos to the firefighters who risk their lives every day to keep people and property safe!!
AAbornandraised
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
We drove by this last evening before the firefighters had arrived. It was pretty scaring. Lots of different stops of fire from north of 6 Mile south. Even saw a tree on fire. Thanks to all the firefighters who responded! There was fire and smoke in lots of spots all along the west side of the freeway
mkm17
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 11:56 a.m.
I was driving northbound when I saw this. There was so much fire and smoke, I had (stupidly) thought it was a controlled burn. Thank you to *all* the firefighters and other emergency personnel who helped take care of the situation!
AySquared
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 8:55 a.m.
That is extremely scary... I wonder what caused them.
Quoniam
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 3:42 a.m.
Clearly Mitt Romney's fault. And George W. Bush.
proudnurse
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 2:32 a.m.
Still closed as of 10pm! What a mess out there.....the only fire trucks still on scene are the ones blocking ramps. Doesn't appear to be anymore fires, but the fire fighters were walking along the highway with flashlights.
lefty48197
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 1:25 a.m.
That was an hour and a half of my life that I'll never get back.
Fat Bill
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 1:17 a.m.
Dons Body Shop... and the homes east of whitmore lake road west of 23 are those that are threatened...
Ann English
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.
Isn't Don's Body Shop on the west side of US-23, nearer Six Mile than Eight Mile? I've used their towing services two or three times.
Fat Bill
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
Fire is not near the tracks..literally right along the highway....working westward into the boggy brush. Fire units from Northfield... Scio... Dexter (who handles Webster). Ann Arbor Twp. Brighton.. Green Oak and Hamburg have been working...winding down now...
Ann English
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:37 a.m.
I used to know people living at that mobile home park nearby. I'm assuming you mean those homes were threatened by the grass fires.
Ann English
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
It sounds strange that Scio Township firefighters went there, but not Webster Township firefighters. Webster Township is closer to the area.
s2budd
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 2:32 a.m.
Umm... Webster Township contracts with DAFD.
Fat Bill
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:21 a.m.
Most likely, given the linear and spotty nature...prime suspect is a malfunctioning truck...probably losing a wheel bearing...throwing sparks going down the road. Frequent occurrence along railroad tracks as well
Ann English
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
There ARE railroad tracks nearby, namely the Ann Arbor Railroad. I'm so used to thinking of those tracks running straight north and south outside the city of Ann Arbor, the map provided shows that if that railroad line kept going straight, it would lead right into Whitmore Lake waters. Instead, it turns westward toward Whitmore Lake Road, right near the grass fires area. Fat Bill, you probably know several stories about people whose homes caught fire from trains passing nearby. Some years ago, the Ann Arbor News told about one man's house catching fire as a result of a train passing nearby, while the man was in Africa. At least he was sure the train had caused the fire and sued the railroad for property loss. I never heard the end result, but he lived in the southern part of Washtenaw County.
tdw
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.
Must have been started by fireworks