Ongoing drought causes DNR to issue ‘Special Fire Order’ in 13 Wisconsin counties
(WFRV) – Due to record-low rain in recent weeks, the Wisconsin DNR is now reinstating burning permits in select counties across Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that it is reinstating DNR burning permits by issuing a Special Fire Order in 13 counties. The permit reinstatement will reportedly start at 12:01 a.m. on October 15 and run until further notice.
Wisconsin man arrested for OWI after police find his car in the river
Below are the counties where the permit reinstatement applies to:
All of:
Columbia
Crawford
Green Lake
Marquette
Portage
Richland
Sauk
Waupaca
Waushara
Portions of:
Oconto
Dane
Grant
Iowa
Traditionally, the burn permits are required in select areas from January 1 through May 31, any time the ground is not snow-covered, according to the DNR. A DNR burn permit is reportedly not required for campfires intended for cooking or warming.
However, a DNR annual permit is now required for burning in a barrel, a debris pile and grass or wooded areas outlined by the permit unless the ground is completely snow-covered.
Officials say that the current wildfire concerns are primarily due to the lack of precipitation across the state. The release says that Wisconsin has gotten record-low rain in recent weeks.
The latest Wisconsin weather forecast from Storm Team 5
The DNR says it intends to keep the permit requirements in place until the drought situation improves ‘significantly’.
The current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions can be found on the DNR’s website.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.