Wildfires can happen any time of the year, but with warmer temperatures, low humidity and windy days, Spring is the most critical fire season in wisconsin, according to the DNR.
The Kewaunee Fire Department has made some upgrades that might seem small, but will a huge difference as spring wildfire season approaches, said Greg Hlinak, Fire Chief. Thanks to a $2,000 DNR grant, Kewaunee firefighters now have shovels, rakes and axes, as well as an environmentally safe foam dispenser.
"Tthe foam, it cools and smothers fire a lot quicker than just plain water," said Hlinak. "Almost like Dawn dish washing liquid, you know. Makes suds.”
Dry grass, pine needles and leaf litter create hazardous conditions every spring, said Hlinak.
“You burn on windy days, the sparks go down wind, and they catch something else on fire," he said. "Pretty soon, you have a couple acres burning. So you wanna catch that before it starts somebody else’s house, or somebody else’s property, on fire.”
If you are planning to have a bonfire, call your local sheriff’s or police department and just give them a heads up, said Hlinak. Otherwise, someone driving by might see the flames and smoke and call 911; then the fire department gets dispatched.
“They show up needlessly," said Hlinak. "There’s nothing that perturbs a property owner as when they’re having a nice recreational fire in their backyard, and a fire truck shows up.“
Chief hlinak wants to remind people who are burning fires to keep it small, never leave it unattended and always keep a pail of water or a garden hose nearby, just in case.
