75% of People in Dane County Affected by Drought

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – We are still at a high fire danger here in southwest Wisconsin. 

According to the Department of Natural Resources, much of the state is still at high risk for wildfires. Some parts of central and northeast Wisconsin are even considered at “very high” risk. 

There have been more than 65 wildfires across Wisconsin in the last week. In these conditions, wildfires can be sparked so much easier, and they’re tougher to put out. Dry conditions can even cause a building to go up in flames faster. 

Nearly 75% of people here in Dane County are affected by drought. That’s a 60% increase in just the last week, according to the federal drought monitor. 

That can have a huge impact on agriculture. Dane County has 125,000 acres of corn and nearly 72,000 acres of soybeans currently in a drought.

The paradox here is that this is our second-wettest year on record here in Dane County. Experts have said extremes like this are a result of climate change.