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MDNR investigating burned mattresses in northern Michigan forest

Several of the headboards found burned near the village of Lake Ann in Benzie County.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Several of the headboards found burned near the village of Lake Ann in Benzie County.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources discovered 20 burned mattresses and bedspring frames on state-managed land in northern Michigan last week. 

MDNR says conservation officers responded to a complaint on May 24 about the burned items in Benzie County's Inland Township. They're seeking information from the public about anyone responsible for dumping and burning them.

In a statement, Conservation Officer Rebecca Hopkins said that disposing of any household materials on state land is illegal, as is disposing of mattress by burning them.

“In this instance, the fire from the burning mattresses caused the grass and nearby trees to burn and damaged approximately one-half acre of public land. Had conditions been dryer, this incident may have spread into a larger forest fire.”

Officials hope that the headboards were mostly identical, hopefully making it easier to identify the person responsible.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.
Emma is a communications specialist with the digital team at Michigan Radio. She works across all departments at Michigan Radio, with a hand in everything from digital marketing and fundraising to graphic design and website maintenance. She also produces the station's daily newsletter, The Michigan Radio Beat.
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