Tahquamenon Falls State Park reopening near Michigan wildfire

Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls State Park reopening as smoke, ash from nearby wildfire clear

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Published On: May 29 2012 09:11:06 PM EDT
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PARADISE, Mich. -

A popular state park is reopening near a wildfire that's been burning across more than 30 square miles of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Department of Natural Resources spokesman Dean Wilson said Tahquamenon Falls State Park's Upper Falls and related facilities reopened Tuesday. He says the Lower Falls campground is expected to reopen at noon Wednesday.

Some hiking trails that lead into the burn area remain closed.

The well-known destination for campers was originally closed because of smoke and ash problems. Wilson says those conditions have cleared up in the park.

The DNR says the blaze known as the Duck Lake Fire began with a lightning strike last week and burned about 22,000 acres, or 34 square miles. The fire was estimated Tuesday at about 21,700 acres.