GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Now is a good time for Northeast Wisconsin residents to conduct any burns they might have planned.
“The fire danger has, with the recent rains and storms that we’ve had, subsided a little bit. We’re currently kind of hovering around that moderate, and in the northern part that low. That’s not to say that things don’t turn around quickly here in Wisconsin, especially in the sandy soil areas.”
DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele says the year’s busiest time for wildfires is behind us, now that things are green throughout the state.
However, Koele notes we’re not completely out of the woods.
“In the summer months, we’ll typically see a little bit more of an increase in equipment fires. As we enter July, we can also see fireworks cause fires.”
Koele says some of the other summer wildfire causes are not as obvious.
“Boat chains on your trailer, ATV use on trails, parking hot exhaust systems on dry grass.”
Through Sunday, Koele says Wisconsin had seen 497 wildfires in 2017, nine fewer than the same time last year.
She notes the number of state wildfires has consistenly decreased in the last ten years, largely due to people being more aware of fire danger and burning activities.
Most days, Koele says the DNR allows burning between 6 pm-12 am.
However, daytime burning is also occasionally allowed.
Before conducting a burn, Koele urges people to check the DNR burning restrictions map.
