MENOMINEE, MI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A warehouse fire in Menominee, Mich. is still smoldering after five days.
Fire crews from both Michigan and Wisconsin responded to fight the fire.
EPA air monitoring showed the air quality had gone down. Public health agencies advise residents to continue to avoid smoky areas.
The fire at Resolute Forest Products was contained Monday, but crews continue to put out hot spots as of Wednesday.
When volunteer firefighter Jen Bastien arrived to the scene on Friday, she noticed some community members wanting to help.
“People just started showing up with food, water and snacks.”
She says the community has always been great to first responders, but this was a scale larger than she’s ever seen.
“It got to the point where it became not only a traffic concern, but it was just an overwhelming amount of donations being received.”
Bastien is with Stephenson Fire Department in Michigan, which is coordinating the donations.
“The guys have really been enjoying the homemade treats and the warm meals on rainy days like today.”
Multiple fire departments have shared the “Meals for Firefighters” link on social media.
The Stephenson fire department says food is covered for this week, but additional donations are always welcome, especially grab and go items, such as granola bars, fruit and sandwiches.
“There’s also a need for some smaller personal care items, including hand warmers, ChapStick and even over-the-counter pain relief like Advil, Tylenol, ibuprofen,” said Bastien.
A precautionary shelter-in-place order was put in place due to air quality concerns on Saturday.
That order was lifted Sunday, but a smoky haze and smell remain in the air almost a week later.
FOX 11 reached out to Menominee fire department and EA for interviews. Both said they were unavailable.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.
About 100 people work at the facility which makes pulp from recycled paper to be shipped to other mills for processing.
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