DOOR COUNTY (NBC 26) — FULL STORY: An ATV fire in the Town of Gardner on Tuesday quickly grew to burn more than 70 acres, prompting multiple fire departments to respond.
Crews returned Wednesday morning to tackle remaining hot spots.
We spoke with neighbors and officials Wednesday to learn more about that fire on Tuesday, that set over 70-acres of land ablaze, watch below:
Nineteen fire departments from across the tri-county area responded to Tuesday’s blaze, with the Brussels Union Gardner Fire Department arriving first around 3 p.m.
"We were initially paged out for an ATV on fire, but that rapidly transitioned into a wildland fire," Fire Captain Brussels Union Gardner, Noel Baudhuin, said.
What began as a small ATV fire quickly grew to consume more than 70 acres. Captain Baudhuin attributes the rapid spread to the area’s windy and dry conditions.
"We're just back working on it, trying to address all the hot spots and prevent any further issues with the scene," Captain Baudhuin, said.
Neighbor Jon Schley says he was outside getting his mail Tuesday when he saw the fire across the street.
"So I came out so you can see that fire truck down there," Schley said. "That's where the smoke started."
Schley says this fire was one of the biggest fires he's seen in the town of Gardner.
"So much smoke and the flames were so high, just like you see on TV, like the wildfires you see on TV," Schley, said.
The fire began in a grassy area near a DNR-owned swamp and damaged nearby private property that is mostly marsh and cattails.
In total more than 100 firefighters responded, using over 30,000 gallons of water to bring the blaze under control.
"I've been on the department forty-one years. This is the biggest grass fire I've ever seen in our area," B.U.G. Assistant Fire Chief, Jim Wautier said.
The DNR reports that Wisconsin has experienced more than 50 wildfires so far in October. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Door County is currently facing abnormally dry conditions.
Fire officials are urging residents to stay alert and take extra care when handling anything that could spark a fire.
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UPDATE: Fire officials now say an ATV was the source of a brush fire in Door County that is still burning across parts of more than 70 acres.
NBC 26's Hanna Lopez reports that as of Wednesday morning, seven crews were still putting out hot spots in the area around County C, just west of Gardner.
While officials said an ATV was to blame, they didn't offer specifics on how the ATV started the fire.
On Tuesday, 19 fire departments from across the area responded to fight the brush fire. No injuries have been reported at this time.
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As of Tuesday evening, crews are still working to contain a fire in southern Door County.
The Door County Sheriff's office told NBC 26 neighborhood reporter Hanna Lopez it was initially called about a brush fire.
No injuries have been reported, according to the sheriff's office.
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Several crews are working to contain a large fire in southern Door County.
NBC 26 received this video from a viewer who said her father saw the fire on his drive home from work:
NBC 26's Door County neighborhood reporter Hanna Lopez shared this photo from the scene:
We will work to bring you more information as it becomes available.
