Drought Conditions Spread Statewide: Don’t Spark A Wildfire

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Drought conditions worsen, with not much rain on the way, DNR says trailers and equipment have been creating fires.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants the public to check their trailers and all outdoor equipment prior to use due to elevated wildfire risk across the state.

In the past seven days alone, there have been 82 wildfires across Wisconsin, with 32 of them starting because of improper equipment use. Things like unsecured trailer chains, lawnmowers, ATVs and UTVs, tractors, etc.

Drought conditions have only worsened over the last week. Spreading to 16% more of the state. Now, 77% of Wisconsin is in a drought and 30% is severe. That’s a 10% spike in just 7 days. Wildfires that occur under these conditions can burn for great lengths of time and smolder underground for days and can be challenging to suppress.

This has prompted the DNR to issue high and very high fire danger across the entire state. And windy conditions only add to the spread of fires.

The DNR-issued annual burning permits for debris piles, burn barrels and prescribed burns are suspended in several counties in elevated areas where the DNR has burn permit authority. 

A Special Fire Order went into effect on Oct. 15, 2024 for 13 Wisconsin counties where permits are traditionally not required this time of year. A DNR annual burning permit is now required statewide in all DNR protection areas for burning in a barrel, a debris pile and grass or wooded areas as outlined by the permit, unless the ground is completely snow-covered. Before burning in these areas, anyone wishing to burn must obtain a DNR burn permit and check WisBURN for the current burn restrictions.

Fall is in full swing in Wisconsin, and between boats headed to storage for the winter, hunters towing recreational vehicles to their hunting land and landowners around the state trailering yard waste to transfer sites or burning it themselves, the potential for incidental ignitions is elevated this time of year.

By taking just a few basic precautions, everyone can help prevent wildfires in Wisconsin:

• Secure dragging parts and trailer chains to avoid creating sparks while driving.
• Avoid operating vehicles on dry grass.
• Check tire pressure for exposed rims.
• Maintain brakes and other high-wear components to prevent metal-on-metal contact.
• Operate equipment (chainsaws, off-road vehicles, lawnmowers, etc.) early in the morning or late in the day to avoid sparks at peak burn hours.
• Avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve. 

Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on the DNR’s website.

Consistently dry weather across the state has led to Wisconsin farmers completing their harvests earlier than expected.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the corn harvest for grain is 12 days ahead of average and the Soybean harvest is four weeks ahead of average.

While the dry weather has allowed farmers to harvest their crops earlier than usual, it’s also led to a drop in their quality. Farming officials say soil around the state is showing signs of being depleted and more crop yields are being lost to weather-related issues.