Wildfire danger is increasing as the snow leaves the Northwoods and warmer, dryer air comes in.
Conditions have changed so fast that burning permits are not allowed in most places.
DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele in Woodruff says the fire danger is very high in most places, with extreme fire danger the northwest corner of the state. She says conditions are prime for fire...
"....these would include high temperatures, low humidity, windy days and dry fuels. So the leaves, brush and pine needles we see on the ground now are really dry and getting dryer...."
Koele says the peak fire danger in Wisconsin is right after the snow leaves. She says the combination of dead material on the ground and people cleaning up after the winter can lead to fire outbreaks. She says there are alternatives to burning clean up material.
The DNR has suspened burning permits in all DNR fire protection areas with the exception of Florence county. She says you can quickly get an update on the fire danger on the DNR homepage and keying in the word 'fire'.
