The Oscoda/Wurtsmith Airport and a large development area for residential and industrial reuse of properties now comprise the former base. The combined service area 195 square miles. As such Oscoda Township Fire Department serves the largest area in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. This equates to 34% of the total land area of Iosco County. While our Township government services a very large land area we do not collect tax revenues from the State or Federal Forest properties. The Huron National Forest and AuSable State Forest combined encompasses approximately 63,790 acres. Therefore, the tax generating land area is disproportional to the land areas that are being served by the Oscoda Township government. This geographic situation impacts provision of many public services but is especially important in the case of fire protection..
In terms of land area, a typical Michigan Township is six miles wide by six miles long (or 36 square miles). Oscoda Township, which extends six miles from north to south and approximately 22 miles east to west (approximately 132 square miles) is 3½ times larger than a typical township, and is one of the largest townships in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Additionally, our fire department provides sole fire coverage for AuSable Township and half of Wilber Township, as well as the entire former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. 
