Atlas Twp. — What began as an uncontrolled open burn on Oct. 23 turned into an extraordinary firefighting challenge for the Atlas Township Fire Department, requiring more than 100,000 gallons of water, assistance from neighboring fire departments and specialized resources from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
By late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, firefighters had successfully suppressed all visible smoldering areas and hot spots, marking a significant milestone in the four-and-a-half-day operation.
Atlas Township Fire Chief Ed Klimek said the fire originated at a residence on Coolidge Road, where an open burn escaped control and spread into a nearby wooded area before firefighters arrived…