A group of 17 Connecticut firefighters returned home from helping to fight wildfires in northern Michigan Monday.

The firefighters spent 14 hours per day for two weeks marching miles through swamp and sand. The Sleeper Lake fire in Michigan's upper peninsula has been burning for the past weeks, and while it continues to burn, the state's firefighters have completed their mission.

"My feet are a little sore, but seeing the family makes it all worthwhile," said firefighter Greg Vantine.

Vantine's daughter told Eyewitness News that it is good to have her dad back home.

"I kind of missed him over the two weeks he was gone -- a lot. So it feels good to see him," Amanda Vantine said.

Firefighter Rachael Sunny said that she is looking forward to a good night's sleep.

"I'm exhausted to say the least," she said.

The firefighters stayed in hotels while battling the Michigan blaze and said they received some warmer than usual hospitality from the community in Michigan.

"They took our dirty laundry home in the morning and returned it at night with goodies and notes thanking us," Sunny said.

The 20-member crew also contained two members from Vermont and one from Rhode Island.

The Sleeper Lake fire has burned nearly 20,000 acres in Newberry, Michigan. The blaze was sparked by lightning and is currently 80 percent contained.

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