(Dodge County) Despite the chance for some precipitation in the forecast, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is warning residents of the elevated fire risk.
Most of the state is under either high or very high fire danger. Dodge, Fond du Lac, Columbia, and Jefferson counties are under high danger while Green Lake is listed as very high.
The recent warm temperatures, low humidity, and breezy conditions are to blame. The DNR has already responded to over 50 wildfires across Wisconsin this week alone, bringing the yearly total to 193 fires burning 356 acres. Jolene Ackerman from the DNR says it’s not just brush and trash burns that have been starting fires.
“People are out starting things up and maybe there’s some gunk that’s around the tires or there’s some old gas in the machinery.”
Ackerman says you should be extra cautious with any fires you start, and make sure they are completely put out before you walk away. That means dousing the coals and turning them over to make sure there’s no hot spots left.
–WRN contributed
