Roche-A-Cri State Park Wildfire Contained

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – One mistake rapidly spread the Stairway fire’s flames throughout a historical Wisconsin state park over the weekend.

On Sunday, an incoming cold front whipped wind speeds up to 30-40 mph across Wisconsin. As it viscously dragged in dry air on Sunday, one mistake at the top of a state park, had the woods in flames almost instantly.

Around 3:30 p.m. a call came in for a fire under the observation platform, on top of the mountain at Roche-A-Cri State Park. Located in Adams County, near the town of Friendship, locals say they heard a scanner call come across stating, “Someone reported that they were up there and watched someone smoke a cigarette and flick it over the side of the stairs. So, human stupidity.”

You can hear below as we talked to a property owner on the edge of the park…

When we asked officials blocking the park off on Sunday they stated, “A fire was started under the observation platform on top of the mountain.” The Wisconsin DNR said on Monday, they are still investigating the cause.

10 different departments, 55 volunteer firefighters plus the DNR were helping control and put it out. A DNR plane was seen circling for hours.

An ambulance was requested from Friendship for an injury to a firefighter. The fire was mostly contained by midnight with one unit staying on the scene overnight.

Crews today are doing mop up as the fire is contained. Park Manager Heather Wolf says, “They have hose lines and hand lines with major conservancy, and many fire crews all helping today. With a line down at the bottom.”

Listen below as we talked to the Wisconsin DNR Park Manager Heather Wolf…

Five to seven acres were burned in total, mainly at the top of the mound but the blaze did work its way down the slope on the north end.

“It’s a really steep hill, safety is a concern today with firefighters. Minimal torching today, some fire still creeping down the hill with all those pine needles but it’s steep so crews are being as careful as possible.” says Wolf. “Thankfully the south end is fine, the petroglyphs are fine and the campground is fine.”

The state park celebrated their 75th anniversary this year and is known for it’s Native American drawings carved into the mound. It is estimated that the petroglyphs were carved before A.D. 900, and pictographs appeared only 400-500 years ago. The artists are believed to be ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people. French explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries called the mound “Roche-A-Cris,” referring to the large rock structure that is visible from some distance from various vantage points.

A high fire risk remains for a majority of the state today.

As the vegetation dies and dries, along with feisty Fall winds, Wisconsin is slipping back into drought conditions. So even if it’s a backyard bonfire or a cigarette butt, use extreme caution this time of year.

As for burning brush piles, here’s some advice on how to do it safely.

Multiple fires occurred across the state on Sunday. Three in northeast Wisconsin and two in south central. Officially named Stairway, J Fire, Alder and Wolf. All have since been controlled as the winds eased overnight.

You can check the air quality in your area here.