Increased fire danger: Restrictions in place, permits suspended Friday, April 6, 2012 Fire danger is HIGH and VERY HIGH today and expected for the holiday weekend throughout all of Wisconsin. In addition, Emergency Burning Restrictions for northwest Wisconsin counties impacted by last summer?s severe windstorm will begin today, Friday, April 6, 2012.
Portions of Burnett, Douglas, Polk and Washburn counties are impacted by restrictions. Emergency Burning Restrictions apply to the designated areas that are outside incorporated cities and villages in these counties.
Under these restrictions, burning of any combustible material outdoors is prohibited until further notice. This means:
All DNR burn permits are suspended (e.g. debris piles, burn barrels, prescribed fires)
All campfires, except for those in developed camping areas within a metal fire ring, are prohibited
Smoking a cigar, cigarette, or pipe, in the outdoors is prohibited
Outdoor disposal of ashes, charcoal briquettes, matches or any burning material is prohibited
All fireworks are prohibited (restricted and non-restricted)
The burning restrictions are primarily due to the remaining debris from the July 1, 2011, windstorm, and above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation in the months since.
DNR fire control officials are also suspending burning permits in several counties today and through the Easter weekend. A high pressure system is expected to bring low humidity and increased winds with little to no precipitation.
Before conducting any outdoor burning, visit
http://dnr.wi.gov enter keyword ?burn? and select the county of interest. Those impacted by the wind storm can also obtain information on alternatives to burning and salvaging efforts by entering keyword ?storm?
