WISCONSIN — Fire danger remains high across much of the Badger State.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the National Weather Service for a handful of counties in northern Wisconsin on Monday. That warning starts at noon and goes until 9 p.m.
The following counties are under the warning: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Dunn, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Oneida, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Vilas and Washburn.
All the counties within the warning are at “extreme” fire danger levels. According to the DNR, a Red Flag Warning is issued when hot temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds and dry fuels combine to create conditions that could cause “catastrophic fires.”
There were at least 100 wildfires last week, with several occurring in the areas that are now under the most danger, according to the DNR.
Jordan Westrick, a forester ranger with the Wisconsin DNR, said one reason for an elevated fire risk is right under our feet.
"You can see the grass from last year. It's all brown and dry, and as we haven't had rainfall for maybe a week," said Westrick. "Things become readily available. You know, you can pick it up and snap it off. It breaks easily."
The DNR is asking people to use caution with any activities that may spark a wildfire. That includes campfires, ashes from fireplaces, outdoor grills, smoking, chainsaws, off-road vehicles or other small engines with hot exhaust systems.
The organization said that fire control officials are remaining on high alert across the state to make sure there’s a rapid response if a fire should break out.
"We do have tractor plows, readily available all across the state, all the equipment," said Westrick. "We have helicopters, Black Hawk helicopters available with buckets that we can call in if needed, as well as single-engine air tankers that are contracted into the state this time of year for suppression on these fires."
DNR officials said they anticipate the fire danger to continue into Tuesday. They said conditions should improve as the week goes on. You can monitor fire conditions, here.
