After two decades of logging activities, Michigan was littered with thousands of hectares of slash--dead branches, leaves, and wood.
Upon drying, these became highly flammable, and led to innumerable fires. Many of these fires were immense, covered large areas, and burned for days. In some instances, the stumps and slash were piled up and burned, as seen below.
Source: Unknown
More often, the slash was left behind to rot and eventually burn. Only in cases where agriculture was to immediately follow the axe and saw was the land cleared and the stumps burned. For more information on some of the more important and large fires in Michigan's past, click here.
This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission. One copy may be printed for personal use. Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.