GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Northeast Wisconsin, and much of the state, is in a period of ‘high fire danger.’
DNR officials say 44 blazes have burned in the past week, and the 190 wildfires the department have battled since the ground cleared is more than twice as many as there were at the same time last year.
Wildlife Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele says dry conditions, low humidity, and warming weather contribute to the fire danger.
Koele notes the season typically starts when the snow disappears and ends around Memorial Day.
On Friday, 62 Wisconsin counties had a high fire danger. The outliers were in the state’s southeast corner.
The DNR has burning authority in 44 of the Badger State’s counties. While it does not manage Brown County, Koele says burning is prohibited Friday in Marinette, Oconto, and Shawano counties, among others.
She notes there have already been 20 fires in those three counties alone this season.
Before burning, Koele encourages people to obtain a free permit at: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/permits.html.
She also urges people to monitor the daily burning restrictions at: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/restrictions.html.
Koele advises people to wait until the rain predicted for early next week clears before burning.
She notes 98% of Wisconsin wildfires are caused by people, with the majority of those incidents resulting from careless burning of debris on the ground, in piles, or in burn barrels.
This spring, Koele says the DNR has had issues with civilians flying drones over fires. For the sake of combating the blaze in a timely manner, she asks people to refrain from using the devices near wildfires.
If anyone sees a wildfire or smoke, Koele reminds people to dial 911 immediately as fire control resources are currently on high alert and ready to quickly mobilize.
