The Falcon Lake Burns

On May 20, 1967, amateur geologist Stefan Michalak encountered two disc-shaped UFOs near Falcon Lake, Manitoba. When one departed, exhaust from its vent burned a distinctive grid pattern on his chest—physical evidence that makes this one of the most compelling UFO cases ever documented.

The Witness

Stefan Michalak:

• 51 years old
• Polish immigrant
• Industrial mechanic
• Amateur geologist
• Weekend prospector

The Location

Falcon Lake:

• Manitoba, Canada
• Whiteshell Provincial Park
• Remote wilderness
• Prospecting area
• Victoria Day weekend

The Sighting

May 20, 1967:

• Around 12:15 PM
• Two disc-shaped objects
• Descending
• One landed nearby
• Other departed

The Landed Craft

Michalak approached:

• About 35 feet diameter
• Metallic, silver
• Hot (felt heat)
• Heard voices inside
• Doorway opened

The Door

Opening revealed:

• Brilliant light
• He looked inside
• No occupants visible
• Called out
• No response

The Touch

Michalak touched craft:

• Glove melted
• Surface hot
• Then craft moved
• Rotated
• Exposed vent

The Burn

Exhaust blast:

• Hot gas hit him
• From vent grid
• Burned his chest
• Through shirt
• Grid pattern

The Pattern

Burns showed:

• Perfect grid marks
• Matching vent pattern
• First-degree burns
• Distinctive evidence
• Photographed

Immediate Effects

Michalak experienced:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Weakness
• Sought help

Medical Treatment

Doctors found:

• Grid-pattern burns
• Radiation-like symptoms
• Weight loss
• Recurring illness
• Long-term effects

Physical Evidence

At the site:

• Burned circle
• Metal fragments
• Radiation readings
• Scorched rock
• Documented

The Investigation

Multiple agencies:

• RCMP investigated
• Canadian Air Force
• US officials interested
• Extensive inquiry
• No explanation

Government Interest

Canadian government:

• Took case seriously
• Extensive file
• Later declassified
• No debunking
• Genuine mystery

Skeptical Examination

Some doubted:

• Self-inflicted
• Hoax
• But evidence complex
• Burns real
• Hard to fake

Michalak’s Character

He was:

• Reluctant witness
• Consistent story
• Suffered health effects
• No profit
• Credible

Long-term Effects

For years:

• Health problems
• Burns scarred
• Weight fluctuations
• Medical treatment
• Lifelong impact

The Site Today

Still marked:

• Burned rock visible
• Years later
• Tourist attraction
• Historical marker
• Ongoing interest

Significance

Falcon Lake significant for:

• Physical evidence (burns)
• Medical documentation
• Government investigation
• Site traces
• Witness credibility

Legacy

The Falcon Lake incident stands as one of the best-documented physical trace cases due to Stefan Michalak’s burns. The distinctive grid pattern, matching the craft’s vent configuration, provides compelling evidence that something extraordinary occurred.