Michigan DNR photo of Duck Lake fire, May 25, 2012.
NEWBERRY, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan authorities say they've brought in $394,000 from the first round of a rush sale of timber in an area damaged by a 33-square mile fire in the northern Upper Peninsula.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it made eight of 16 planned timber sales from the Duck Lake wildfire area in Luce County last Friday. The next round is this Friday at the DNR's Newberry field office.
A lightning strike started the fire, which destroyed 136 structures, including homes, outbuildings and campers. No injuries were reported.
The DNR says it's moving fast to salvage timber in the fire area because of the potential for wood-boring beetles infesting dead trees that are left standing.
The DNR says prices paid in the first sales ranged up to $30 per cord.
From the Associated Press