MADISON, WI- Waupaca and Oconto Counties are among those affected by heightened fire danger.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today the reinstatement of burning permits due to ongoing drought conditions and heightened fire danger throughout the fall. This new policy will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, across designated DNR protection areas in 13 counties.
The affected counties include all of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Waupaca, and Waushara, as well as parts of Oconto, Dane, Grant, and Iowa counties.
Under the new order, a DNR annual burning permit is required for burning in barrels, debris piles, and in grass or wooded areas, unless the ground is completely snow-covered. Individuals wishing to burn must obtain a DNR burn permit and check WisBURN for current burn restrictions.
Traditionally, burn permits are mandated from Jan. 1 through May 31, during periods when the ground is not snow-covered. The reinstatement of permits enables the DNR to impose restrictions on burning during days of elevated fire risk.
While campfires intended for cooking or warming do not require a DNR permit, the agency urges the public to exercise extreme caution. Campfires should ideally be contained within designated fire rings or devices and monitored closely, especially during the day when fire conditions are more severe.
Current wildfire risks stem from a significant lack of precipitation statewide, leading to moderate to severe drought conditions. Despite recent rainfall, it has not sufficiently alleviated the drought situation. The combination of dry vegetation, including dead leaves and pine needles, increases the risks associated with debris burning, which remains the leading cause of wildfires in Wisconsin.
The DNR plans to maintain these permit requirements until conditions improve significantly, either through sustained rainfall or snowfall. Additionally, the agency will pause its prescribed burn program this week due to the heightened fire weather conditions, with ongoing evaluations as conditions evolve.
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