SAND LAKE, Mich. (AP) — Firefighters are battling a blaze that has blackened about thousands of acres in northeastern Michigan and has forced about 100 area residents to flee their homes, state police officials said Friday.

The U.S. Forest Service started a control burn at the Huron-Manistee National Forests north of the village of Sand Lake that raged out of control and threatened to set fire to housing subdivisions in the area, according to Joshua Veal, the public affairs officer at the forests. Multiple aircraft, including tankers, were involved in battling the fire.

“We’re working really hard on our side to catch it and get it suppressed,” Veal said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or structures lost, according to authorities, who were warning people about the fire's threat.

“Anyone in the area is asked to use caution and avoid the affected areas,” Michigan State Police spokeswoman Lt. Liz Rich said in a statement

The displaced residents were being housed at a local high school. Authorities said the people sheltering at Tawas High School will be encouraged to wear masks to protect them from COVID-19.