MADISON (NBC 26) — Fire danger is currently very high for most of Wisconsin, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said Sunday.
"Sunday's forecast calls for elevated fire weather, including low relative humidity and increasing southwest winds. Be aware of rapidly changing fire conditions," the DNR said in a statement.
Areas with VERY HIGH danger Sunday include Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green Lake, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood counties.
Areas with HIGH fire danger Sunday include Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties.
Wisconsin DNR said this year's fire season has already been a busy one. The DNR says 161 wildfires burned more than 1,000 acres during the first week of April alone. The main causes of these fires, the DNR says, have been debris burning and equipment, accounting for more than half of the fires. However, the two largest fires so far this spring in Juneau and Waukesha counties ignited along railroads.
While recent rains have given the state a small break, the DNR said Sunday the dead grass, leaves, and pine needles have dried out and are ready to ignite once again.
The public is asked to remain vigilant with any outdoor flames, smoke, campfires, ash disposal, or equipment use. The DNR asks you to put off burning your debris pile until the vegetation "greens up," or becomes less dry after spring rains.
Click here to check daily fire danger, wildfire reports, and burning restrictions.
