Fire danger is high across Lower Peninsula

Fire danger is high across Lower Peninsula

by | Apr 12, 2023 | Recreation

 
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DNR News
April 12, 2023

Contact: Don Klingler, 989-370-0440 or Paul Rogers, 616-260-8406

Fire danger is high across Lower Peninsula; be careful outside

A sign featuring Smokey Bear indicates that fire danger is high. Warm temperatures, winds and winter buildup of dry grasses and leaves have pushed fire danger to very high levels across the Lower Peninsula.

“People need to be careful when doing any outdoor activity that could spark a wildfire,” said Don Klingler, Michigan Department of Natural Resources resource manager for the southern Lower Peninsula. “These fuels can ignite very easily.”

Nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people, and yard debris burning is the top cause of wildfires in Michigan.

Burn permits will not be issued for the next few days, Klingler said. It’s always critical to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before you start your fire to make sure weather conditions allow for safe burning. In southern Lower Peninsula communities, consult local fire authorities.

Fire danger goes up when weather is hot and dry and increases even more when it’s windy. Windborne embers can travel far and fast, turning a small fire into a large one. Lightning strikes are also an issue if stormy weather is predicted.

Due to the increased fire danger, the DNR has suspended most prescribed burns over the next few days.

Snow is still present in parts of the Upper Peninsula, but people should exercise caution in areas without snow.

Safety tips to keep fires under control

When you’re working with fire or equipment outdoors, keep in mind that fires can take off very fast and that the remains of a fire smolder for some time. Here are some tips to keep it safe out there:

  • Contain your campfire or bonfire in a pit or ring and make sure you put it out thoroughly before leaving for the night. Douse the fire with water, stir the ashes and douse again.
  • Never leave any fire — including hot coals — unattended.
  • Keep a hose or other water source nearby when burning.
  • Prevent sparks. Keep trailer chains from dragging when you’re on the road; don’t park hot equipment on dry grass.
  • Never shoot fireworks into the woods, dry grass or shrubs.
  • Get more fire safety tips at Michigan.gov/FireManagement.
  • It’s illegal to burn plastic, hazardous materials, foam or other household trash. This can release dangerous chemicals into the air.
  • You can use a burn barrel with a screen on top to burn paper, leaves and natural materials.

DNR wildland firefighters have a goal of keeping as many wildfires fires as possible under 10 acres in size. Get more fire tips and learn more about the DNR’s fire programs.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Smokey sign: Fire danger is high across the Lower Peninsula so that means everyone needs to refrain from burning at the moment and be careful using power equipment.

Share this video: Smokey Bear rates folks on their ability to correctly put out a campfire.
$3 million federal grant to help cut climate pollution

$3 million federal grant to help cut climate pollution

by | Apr 12, 2023 | Environmental

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 12, 2023
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278
Mary Pressley, EPA Region 5 media relations, [email protected], 312-886-1443

ICYMI: $3 million federal grant to help Michigan cut climate pollution, grow clean energy economy

Grant precedes launch of $4.6 billion in competitive federal funding

During Michigan’s first MI Healthy Climate Conference this week, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted a $3 million planning grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The money will help develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and expand Michigan’s clean energy economy. In March, the U.S. EPA announced the availability of the funds from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program created by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

“Michigan has the momentum and together, we will define the future of climate action, clean energy, and manufacturing,” said Governor Whitmer, who spoke about the grant at the conference. “I am grateful to EGLE for bringing leading policymakers and action takers together in Detroit for the MI Healthy Climate Conference, and I know that by fostering collaboration, we can pursue job-creating, cost-reducing climate action that will grow our economy and protect our natural resources for generations to come. We recently won a $3 million federal grant to implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan, and I proposed over $1 billion of investments in my budget to lower the cost of electric vehicles, reduce industrial emissions, and protect clean air and water in schools. I am a climate optimist because I know that In the months and years ahead, we will compete for every dollar possible from recently passed federal legislation so we can create good-paying clean energy jobs, lower emissions, and build a brighter future for our kids.”

The Mi Healthy Climate Conference, which concludes today, focuses on mobilizing action around Governor Whitmer’s climate commitments as laid out in the MI Healthy Climate Plan, a blueprint for moving Michigan forward on greenhouse gas reductions and the economic opportunities that can be created in communities from climate action across the state. Nearly 600 engaged stakeholders, community and business leaders, advocates, and other partners are participating in the conference.

“The MI Healthy Climate Plan was built with input from hundreds of Michiganders over 18 months to chart a path forward for meeting Governor Whitmer’s climate commitments culminating in statewide carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Cory Connolly, Climate and Energy Advisor at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “This federal support will refine that plan and accelerate its implementation. It also will help in engaging and receiving input from communities across Michigan, especially low-income areas that are typically hit ‘first and worst’ by climate impacts. It is vital that all Michiganders share in the protections and benefits of the Climate Plan, and this moves us toward that goal.”

CPRG planning grants will support states, territories, tribes, municipalities, and air agencies in creating comprehensive, innovative strategies for reducing pollution and ensuring that investments maximize benefits, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities. These climate plans will include:

  • Greenhouse gas emissions inventories
  • Emissions projections and reduction targets
  • Economic, health, and social benefits, including to low-income and disadvantaged communities
  • Plans to leverage other sources of federal funding, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act
  • Workforce needs to support decarbonization and a clean energy economy
  • Future government staffing and budget needs

The EPA is expected to launch a competition for an additional $4.6 billion in funding to implement projects and initiatives included in the plans in the Spring of 2024, which Michigan is eligible to receive. The state can also use this funding to develop strategies for using the other grant, loan, and tax provisions secured by President Biden’s historic legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to achieve it clean energy, climate, and environmental justice goals.
Enrollment Sheet is Out

Enrollment Sheet is Out

by | Apr 11, 2023 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Enrollment Sheet is Out.

Written Friday April 7th at 6:45 PM

The enrollment sheet for all sports is out for 2023-2024.

The MHSAA released the sheet on Wednesday afternoon.

Class A is listed as 807 and above and Class B is 806 to 380 students.

Most of the schools in the OAA are in Class A however Harper Woods, Ferndale, and Ferndale University are in Class B.

The football list is very interesting.

Ferndale (672) and Ferndale University (642) Co-Op which means they will have a combined 1144 students and are in Division Two for the playoffs. When they are separate they both are in Class B.

Division One will have Troy (2298), Lake Orion (2254), Clarkston (2206), Oxford (2049), Troy Athens (2030), West Bloomfield (1903), Rochester (1768), Bloomfield Hills (1739), Stoney Creek (1566), Adams (1564), and Southfield Arts and Tech (1517)

Division Two will have Royal Oak (1443), Farmington (1416), Seaholm (1279), North Farmington (1269), Berkley (1228), Groves (1159) Ferndale Co-Op (1144), and Oak Park (1135)

Division Three will have Avondale (1015) and Pontiac (938)

Division Four will have Harper Woods (775)

Troy is the ninth enrolled school in the State followed by Lake Orion (11th), Clarkston (13th), Oxford (18th), and Troy Athens (19th) round out the top 20 most enrolled in the State.

Several schools do unify in other sports like Lacrosse and Hockey. Groves with Seaholm (Birmingham United-2338), Troy and Troy Athens (Troy Unified-4328), Berkley and Royal Oak (M-1-2674), Rochester and Adams (Rochester United-3332), and Farmington and North Farmington (Farmington United-2485.)

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Here is the enrollment sheet

https://www.mhsaa.com/sites/default/files/Enrollment%20and%20Classification/2324enroll.pdf

Hometown Health Heroes honored

Hometown Health Heroes honored

by | Apr 11, 2023 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2023

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Hometown Health Heroes and Jean Chabut Policy Champions honored by Michigan Public Health Week partnership

LANSING, Mich. – As part of Public Health Week in Michigan, 10 individuals and organizations will be presented with the 2023 Hometown Health Hero and Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion awards for their contributions to protecting and improving the health of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is a founding member of this partnership.

Hometown Health Hero awards are presented every spring as part of Michigan Public Health Week.

“Our Hometown Health Hero awards are a way for us to highlight selfless and dedicated champions of public health who are making incredible efforts to improve the lives of Michigan residents,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “We celebrate all efforts, no matter how small or large, of health care professionals who make a positive impact on our state.”

2023 Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion Award

There are three recipients this year of the Jean Chabut Health Policy Champion Award. These individuals were nominated either by a member of their staff or members of their community. They have demonstrated an untiring commitment to the health and safety of their communities.

Jane Sundmacher, Northern Michigan Community Health Innovation Region

Jane Sundmacher established and expanded the Northern Michigan Community Health Innovation Region (NMCHIR), a 10-county collaboration supporting healthy people through partnerships of local health departments, hospitals, community-based organizations and more by aligning systems and addressing barriers to health and well-being. Sundmacher has secured millions of dollars of federal, state and local grant funding to support health department programming, mentor public health professionals, lead cross-jurisdictional sharing projects, and facilitate strategic planning for health organizations across northwest Michigan.

Northern Michigan Community Health Innovation Region (NMCHIR)

The NMCHIR has been recognized with a national Rural Health Innovation Profile for exciting and potentially replicable innovations in rural health care that show promise in improving health, care and lowering costs. NMCHIR achieved $3 million in Medicaid Health Plan savings between 2016 and 2021 by reducing emergency room visits by 23.5% and inpatient stays by 25.5%. NMCHIR uses a coordinated approach to address social determinants of health and represents a unique, collaborative strategy to improve conditions where people live, work, learn and play. Programming includes:

  • Community Connections: A program addressing social determinants of health by connecting residents to community resources.
  • Behavioral Health Initiative: A response to increasing behavioral health costs in the region to improve access to services and promotion of resiliency.
  • Learning Community: A network of cross-sector partners with a common interest of amplifying resident voices and power, promoting health equity, and strengthening the 10-county digital neighborhood for improved coordination and alignment.
  • MiThrive: A program bringing together cross-sector partners and residents in 31 counties including local health departments and hospitals to conduct common community health assessment and collaboration for community health improvement.

Ottawa County Department of Public Health

According to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) is a criteria-based training and recognition program created by NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help local health departments develop core public health and emergency preparedness competencies. Ottawa County Department of Public Health first achieved PPHR recognition in 2017. They successfully completed the five-year re-recognition process in 2022. This intensive 18-month program provides local health departments with the structure to build training and preparedness capacity using a continuous quality improvement model. Through PPHR, local health departments demonstrate preparedness and response capability and capacity by showing they meet a nationally recognized set of criteria that are aligned with federal requirements and national best practices. This recognition is valid for five years, after which local health departments must reapply for recognition.

2023 Hometown Health Hero Award Winners

Lyn Campbell, Central Michigan District Health Department

Campbell serves residents in central Michigan living with HIV/AIDS through supervision of the Ryan White clinic. The Ryan White clinic operated by the Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) has achieved a 100% viral suppression rate and is one of only a few clinics in the U.S. to offer CABENUVA, an injectable antiretroviral therapy medication to treat HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the CMDHD offers PrEP, a pre-exposure prophylaxis medication to reduce the chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. Campbell and her team have brought in additional providers to offer full wraparound services for clients in one location. Case managers help coordinate care from basic needs to medication management. The Ryan White clinic at CMDHD is used as a model of success for other clinics.

Dana Kissner, MD, Detroit Health Department Tuberculosis Program

Dr. Kissner worked for decades to serve patients in the Detroit area and establish a tuberculosis (TB) clinic. The program offers a comprehensive approach including providing caregivers who speak multiple languages and treat the patient as a whole and not just their TB diagnosis. Kissner modernized the TB program at Detroit since joining the Detroit Tuberculosis Clinic in 2007. Kissner advocates for patients with complex backgrounds and ensures the social and environmental contexts are considered and addressed during treatment. As a result of these efforts, there have been no multi-drug resistant TB cases in the city of Detroit since 2012.

Carol Thornton, Dickinson-Iron Child Death Review Team

Thornton volunteered to create and lead a Child Death Review (CDR) team in Iron and Dickinson counties. The purpose of a CDR is to create activities and initiatives that can prevent future child deaths. CDR teams are not required in Michigan but help facilitate the review process for locations served. Thornton has helped families learn about teen suicide, safe infant sleep and safe sledding, as well as providing information on how to choose a safe vehicle for teens and keeping the vehicle properly maintained. Thornton’s dedication to health and safety aimed at preventing death has been incredibly beneficial for her community.

Christopher Petrat, Be Well Medical Center

Petrat was instrumental in broadening availability of the Jynneos vaccine during the mpox outbreak beginning last year. Petrat worked with community leaders and event organizers in the local LGBTQ+ community to set up vaccine tables at a variety of events on weekends and evenings and made sure the vaccines were available where community members felt secure and comfortable. More than 400 Jynneos doses were administered by the Be Well Medical Center where Petrat works, which was 3% of all doses administered in the state and 14% of all doses administered in Oakland County.

Jeremiah Hodshire, Hillsdale Hospital

Hodshire, the CEO of Hillsdale Hospital, has worked to increase specialists and services provided to the rural community of Hillsdale. He has been an advocate for rural health within the state and nationally. Additionally, Hodshire worked with local leaders to build trust with community members and help with the cost-sharing of medical expenses, which led to people accessing more preventative care instead of only receiving emergent care for more complex issues. Hodshire also worked to reopen My Community Dental Center to provide dental care to low-income and Medicaid patients, which decreased the number of patients visiting the emergency room for oral-related emergencies.

Dollar General

Dollar General partnered with Feeding America to positively impact food insecurity concerns across the country. In Michigan, Dollar General partners with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint, Forgotten Harvest in Detroit and Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor. In 2022, Dollar General donated 168,000 pounds of food equaling approximately 127,000 meals. Produce was added to 38 stores in 2022, five of which were located in areas defined as a food desert. Throughout Michigan, 91 stores offer produce in 11 food desert areas.

Northern Michigan Opioid Response Consortium

The Northern Michigan Opioid Response Consortium (NMORC) serves 25 counties in the lower peninsula to offer a coordinated response to reduce opioid and substance use disorders. NMORC offers naloxone training and distribution, harm reduction activities including education, provider training and workforce assistance, and works to reduce stigma around opioid and substance use. NMORC uses data to offer best practices and coordinate comprehensive care to those affected by substance use.
Traffic Safety Advisory Commission approves 2023-2026 Safety Plan

Traffic Safety Advisory Commission approves 2023-2026 Safety Plan

by | Apr 11, 2023 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2023

 

 MEDIA CONTACT
Mark Bott
517-335-2625
[email protected]

Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission approves
2023-2026 Michigan Strategic Highway Safety Plan

Fast facts:

  • The Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission approved the final 2023–2026 Michigan Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP).
  • The SHSP incorporates the Safe System Approach (SSA), a human-centered, holistic approach that aims to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries.
  • The SHSP also introduces equity to ensure an equitable investment in underserved communities and prioritizes safety for all road users.
  • Michigan’s goal is zero road fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.

LANSING, Mich. ­– The Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission recently approved the final version of the 2023-2026 Michigan Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The SHSP is a data-driven, four-year comprehensive plan that identifies key safety needs and guides investment decisions to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on Michigan roads. The plan allows highway safety programs across the state to work together in an effort to align and leverage resources, as well as address Michigan’s safety challenges.

The SHSP provides strategic direction to the Highway Safety Improvement Program and the Highway Safety Plan, as well as other statewide, metropolitan and regional plans, to ensure alignment of roadway safety and the prioritization of zero fatalities and serious injuries.

A new change to the SHSP is that it incorporates the Safe System Approach (SSA). This approach is different from the traditional way of addressing safety. It is based on six core principles: death/serious injury is unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive, and redundancy is crucial. The SSA shares the responsibility of a crash between five elements: safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, and post-crash care. It requires all parts of the transportation system be strengthened, so that if one part fails, the other parts still protect people. It promotes shared responsibility between all stakeholders with the goal of eliminating fatalities and serious injuries.

“Implementing the Safe System Approach is a start, along with changing MDOT’s safety culture so that we practice what we ask of others,” said Acting State Transportation Director Brad Wieferich. “Last year, approximately 1,120 people lost their lives and 5,780 were seriously injured on Michigan roads. We all have a role in creating a safe transportation network and all road users, whether they walk, bike, ride or drive, deserve to arrive at their destinations safely.”

The SHSP also introduces equity in order to ensure an equitable investment in underserved communities. Equity will help prioritize safety for all road users, regardless of the mode of transportation, because everyone has the right to move safely in their communities. 

Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, said strengthening the SHSP will help all roadway users.

“With traffic safety partners and programs utilizing the Safe System Approach, we will be able to improve our outcomes in keeping Michigan’s roadway users safe, especially the most vulnerable,” Bower said. “This approach is an impactful step as we work together on our shared goal of eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads.”

With the implementation of the SSA and introduction of equity, the SHSP will improve safety for all road users, regardless of their mode of transportation. These changes provide an opportunity to make a significant impact on eliminating road fatalities and serious injuries. Working together, local and state agencies across Michigan can achieve the safety goal of zero deaths.