This week is wildfire prevention week, and as the Northwoods and the rest of the state is “greening up," fire danger is hovering near very high. That’s according to DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele. She says people shouldn’t burn unless they have a permit, but says everyone should hold off…
“…It’s a great time of year to be outside, doing a lot of clean up around they yard, raking leaves, pine needles that kind of thing. A lot of folks choose to burn that kind of stuff and that’s something we need to be cautious of this time of year. Burning permits are required, and right now we are suspending a lot of those permits.”
Koele says the DNR will suspend permits for debris burning on days when fire danger is elevated. She says people should be cautious when using chain saws, off-road vehicles and other small engines that could spark and ignite a wildfire.
Visit the DNR’s webpage for fire danger updates.
Update: Wheeler News-Learfield Data had an update from the weekend:
Wheeler News-Learfield Data had an update from this weekend--- Wisconsin's wildfire season is underway. The state D-N-R reports 132 wildfires as of Friday, averaging a little more than one acre apiece. Central and southwest Wisconsin have had the most wildfires, with about two-dozen each. On Thursday, authorities say a grass fire got to within five yards of a shed south of Marshfield. The D-N-R says the risk of wildfires is very high in much of the western half of the Badger State, with high fire dangers in the eastern half. Only five counties have moderate fire risks -- Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Florence, and Vilas.
