Wisconsin’s wildfire season is getting longer

MADISON, WI (WMDX) – Wisconsin is far from the first place that comes to mind when it comes to wildfires, yet the Badger State is seeing a rise in them.

Climate change has played a large role in expanding the state’s wildfire window.

“In the last two years we’ve definitely seen some earlier fire seasons. So longer duration fire seasons,” said Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele. “Typically it’s been kind of that March, April is kind of our peak, but we’re seeing earlier peaks to our fire season over the last couple years. So definitely earlier snow-free conditions across the state, and we’re having fires statewide.”

Data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says there were 33 wildfires from 2015 to 2023 in the months of January and February. In the first two months of 2024 and 2025, there were exactly 200 wildfires. The key to that massive increase is snow. Winter weather was not as consistently cold and snowy in 2024 and 2025 as previous years. That means that nature’s defense against wildfires is weaker; therefore, more wildfires have sparked in Wisconsin.

It’s not just at the beginning of wildfire season that Wisconsin is seeing heightened risk due to weather. According to Wisconsin DNR Prescribed Burns Specialist Michele Witecha, droughts are putting the state at greater risk.

“Climate change, right now, is most definitely impacting our summers. We are dealing with more long term drought… That guarantee of no wildfires occurring during this time, because literally the vegetation is too flush with moisture, that is not something we can hang our hat on anymore,” Witecha said.

With both bookends of wildfire season extending, it’s easier to accidentally start a fire. Koele says that 98 percent of wildfires in Wisconsin are caused by people – that’s why experts ask residents to be cautious. Avoid burning on dry, windy days and make sure that the embers are extinguished following a burning.