Smokey Bear sign in Oconto Falls lists the local fire danger as "high." PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A mild winter has led to an early start to fire season in Wisconsin. Fire danger across the state is listed as high and burn restrictions are in place.
From fields to the woods to driving down the highway, the scene is the same across Wisconsin. There’s dry brush and brown grass, conditions are windy, and with no snow cover and very little precipitation recently, conditions are ripe for wildfires.
So far in 2024, there have been 188 wildfires statewide that burned more than 350 acres in Wisconsin. In the same timeframe, last year, there were seven fires that damaged only about 10 acres of land.
“Typical winter, we have snow cover until March, so the fact that we haven’t had that and we’ve already had numerous fires across the state and in Oconto County is a little bit weird. It’s definitely an early start to fire season this year,” said Garrett Lubbers, a Wisconsin DNR forester ranger.
The early start has led the DNR to issue high fire danger warnings, because with conditions like they are right now, fine fuel — like grass and leaf litter — can ignite quickly and spread fast.
“We’ve suspended burning for today, even yesterday. That’s a measure that stops debris burning, stops folks from burning and potentially having a fire that could start,” Lubbers said.
Unlike out west, where wildfires have been known to burn tens of thousands of acres — and in some cases wipe out hundreds of homes and structures in one town — here in Wisconsin, wildfires have been far less damaging. But they still happen.
Last July, more than 700 acres of land, along with three homes and more than a dozen other structures, burned in Waushara County. Known as the Pallet Fire, it was caused by an out-of-control debris fire.
The DNR touts relationships with local fire departments, as well as community awareness, for keeping large scales wildfires to a minimum.
“Large fires can and do happen. Most of the time, through partnerships with fire departments and DNR resources, we can catch them before they get too big. But, if conditions persist where it’s dry, it’s hot, it’s windy, we’re going to see larger fires occur across the state,” added Lubbers.
The DNR encourages people to keep up with the fire danger in their community.
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