Full Notification

Fire danger subsides, burning restrictions to be lifted
News Release Published: August 10, 2012 by the Central Office

MADISON – On the heels of Smokey Bear’s 68th birthday, fire control officials at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will lift emergency burning restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday, August 13, 2012 in all of Adams, Columbia, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Waupaca and Waushara counties, and portions of Jackson, Juneau, Monroe and Wood counties that are within Department of Natural Resources protection areas.

“The recent rain has improved the overall fire danger situation for us to feel comfortable about allowing campfires again,” said Catherine Koele, Wildfire Prevention Specialist. “Over the last several weeks, vegetation has started to green again and this is what we have been waiting for.”

Despite the recent precipitation, drought conditions will continue in much of central and southern Wisconsin. Drought recovery is a long-term process and will continue into the fall and winter months. In the short-term, continued soaking rain events and cooler temperatures are necessary.

Fire control officials stress that the fire danger changes daily and it’s important to check with local fire officials before conducting any outdoor burning.

“Going forward, we may need to suspend burning permits for debris burning,” says Koele. “We will continue to keep a close eye on the weather as we enter the fall months when the leaves begin to fall and vegetation again dries out. The fire risk has temporally subsided, but can change quickly.”

“We would also like to acknowledge the great cooperation the public has given during the time the emergency burning restrictions were in place. It significantly reduced the number of wildland fires during this extreme fire weather period,” noted Koele.

For the current fire danger, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/restrictions.asp

Residents and tourists are encouraged to contact their local DNR office, fire department, town or municipal officials for more information on local fire restrictions.