News Release
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
DNR Central Office - Madison
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707
Phone: (608) 266-6790 Fax: (608) 264-6293
For Release: July 20, 2006
Contact(s): Catherine Regan, Wildfire Prevention Specialist: (608) 266-2359 or (608) 219-9075
Trent Marty, Director – Bureau of Forest Protection; (608) 266-7978
Emergency forest fire restrictions in place as fire danger levels rise
MADISON– Despite recent rainfall across the southern half of the state, the risk of wildfires remains high in the north, and an emergency ban has been ordered on a variety of outdoor fire-related activities.
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, emergency forest fire restrictions will be in place in the following counties, outside of incorporated cities and villages: Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn. The emergency ban also affects portions of Barron, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire, and Polk counties.
“Under the emergency order, burning any combustible materials outdoors in the described area is prohibited,” said Trent Marty, Director of Forest Protection with the Wisconsin DNR. “The risk for wildfires in these areas is very high and there’s little relief in sight in the near future with the current weather pattern.”
“Until conditions significantly improve, this ban will be in place,” Marty added.
Under the emergency restrictions, burning any combustible material outdoors is prohibited. That applies to burn piles and burn barrels; all campfires unless in developed camping areas; smoking any cigars, cigarettes, or pipes except within a vehicle or building; disposing any matches, ashes, charcoal briquettes, or any burning materials into the outdoors; and all fireworks, legal or otherwise.
Charcoal grills may be used only in the immediate vicinity of a residential dwelling on a non-combustible surface, such as concrete.
“Scattered rain showers tend to have no impact on the overall fire danger level when conditions are as dry as they have been,” Marty said. “We didn’t get to these drought conditions overnight, and it will take several rainfalls to change our current forest fire situation. Until the official ban is lifted, do not assume that conditions have improved to point where the danger no longer exists.”
All-terrain vehicles are another source of concern. The hot mufflers can touch off fires by simply coming into contact with dry grass. Operators of those machines should be cautious about using them in the above counties.
“While this ban only affects the prescribed counties, the risk of wildfires is high across much more of the state,” Marty said. “We ask that everyone in Wisconsin, residents and vacationers, follow the spirit of the order and be extra cautious with anything that could start a wildfire.”
Local burning restrictions may also be in place in some areas and people are encouraged to contact local officials for additional information. Anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire may be charged for the cost of damages caused by the fire, in addition to costs of fighting the fire.
Since the beginning of July, DNR firefighters have responded to nearly 200 wildfires, a significant number of them started by fireworks.
Current information regarding statewide fire dangers can be found at the WDNR Web site. Fire danger levels may change from day to day, and additional counties may be added to the order.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has also issued burning restrictions on National Forest lands in northern Wisconsin. For more information contact Cathy Fox, Public Affairs Specialist at (715) 362-1362, or visit their web site at the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest web site .
This has certainy been a DRY summer for us up here and it seems the burn ban is not having an impact like it should. Just last week, someone was burning their garbage and it moved to a field, where over 200 of the BIG ROUND bales of hay were stacked! Needless to say all the hay burned, and the firefighters had a dickens of a time putting it out. They finally ended up getting in a backhoe and burrying the hay underneath mounds of dirt to put the fires out.
PLEASE be careful! We don't need our beautiful forests or anything else burned down by someone's carelessness!
Julie
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