MADISON, Wis. (WRN / WJMC) — Burn permits are being suspended across Wisconsin as fire danger remains very high.
Despite record flooding across parts of the state, the Department of Natural Resources says there hasn’t been enough consistent rain to get things green. Combine that with gusty winds and low humidity and you’ve got a recipe for wild fires.
You’re being asked to hold off on burning brush piles or making campfires, and to avoid using equipment that could cause sparks like chainsaws or off road vehicles.
Washburn County Sheriff’s Office says ATV trails are closed in the county due to the high fire danger. Trails include the Wild Rivers Trail and Shell Lake Rail Grade, but do not include road routes.
As of early Tuesday morning, fire danger was “Very High” in Barron, Burnett, Chippewa, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn counties. Nearly a dozen wildfires were reported over the last week in the region, burning a dozen acres in total. Many were started by burning debris.
Current wildfire danger can be found on the DNR’s website and searching for “WisBurn.”