Massively destructive wildfires in and around Los Angeles have been burning for more than a week, and they’re still far from being contained. In an interview with NPR’s “Morning Edition,” U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, said he wants to attach conditions to aid sent to California.
When asked whether he would do the same to his own state, he responded, “The good news is in Wisconsin, we’re not really subject to these types of dangers.”
It’s a common misconception. Catherine Koele, wildfire prevention specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” that destructive wildfires are indeed a problem in our state.
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“Folks don’t realize that we have wildfires here in Wisconsin. In fact, we have over 1,000 fires every year, and we suppress 2,600 to 3,000 acres every year,” Koele said.
Historically, Wisconsin has been the site of multiple highly destructive wildfires. In 2013, almost 7,500 acres burned in Douglas and Bayfield counties in the Germann Road Fire. And the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, which killed about 1,500 people, was the deadliest wildfire in American history.
Currently, nearly half of Wisconsin’s towns, cities and villages are described as being at “high” or “very high” risk to destructive wildfires, according to the Wisconsin DNR.
Wildfire season in Wisconsin is in the spring, when the snow cover disappears but vegetation is still dry. Last year, the fire season began in February.
Catherine Koele joined “Wisconsin Today” to provide some tips on how to prevent and prepare for wildfires in preparation for Wisconsin’s wildfire season.
Find alternatives to burning
One of the best ways to prevent wildfires in your community is to avoid burning yard waste and brush piles. “Ninety-eight percent of our fires in Wisconsin are caused by people,” Koele said. “Folks are outside cleaning up around their yards and choosing to burn materials.”
This is especially common in the spring, when the fire danger tends to be high and people are cleaning up their yards after the snow melts.
Koele says there are other ways to dispose of yard waste and brush without creating fire hazards. She suggests leaving it at designated collection sites. Some communities also offer yard waste pick-up days in the spring.
“You can (also) leave the brush or pine needles away from your home in the woods for wildlife habitat to enjoy,” Koele said. “Think of other ways to get rid of those materials.”
If you do burn, do it safely
If you do burn on your property, Koele says there are several precautions you should take.
Keep an eye on the current fire danger in your area, and avoid burning when the fire danger is high. She also suggests getting a burning permit — something that is required in DNR forest fire protection areas, and in some municipalities.
Burning before the snow melts can also help mitigate wildfire risk.
“If the ground is completely snow covered for the duration of your burn, you can burn some of those materials,” Koele said. “That is going to be the safest option.”
Prepare your property
Koele says that property owners should take care to make sure that their home is defensible from a wildfire, especially in the spring fire season.
Raking your yard, cleaning pine needles and leaves from your gutters and roof, and making sure to place wood piles away from structures are several ways to make your property more fire-resistant.
“That’s where those embers land, that’s what can cause your home to burn down,” Koele said. “It’s not the big flame front that comes through. It’s the small things around your house.”
Make sure that emergency personnel and fire trucks can easily access the property. “If (they) can’t get in, they’re likely not going to help suppress the fire or protect your house,” Koele said.
More tips on preparing your property for wildfires can be found here.
Involve your community
Getting neighbors involved will help protect the whole neighborhood, Koele said. “You need buy-in, because if your home is defensible, and your neighbor’s is not, you’re still at risk.”
One way to cooperate is by organizing brush pickup and cleanup events, which are helpful for community members who aren’t physically able to do it themselves.
Koele also recommends building communication with local fire officials about preventing and planning for fires.
“Visit the local fire department pancake breakfast to have those conversations,” Koele said. “Go to those open houses, engage with your local fire department and DNR fire officials.”
Be prepared to leave
Even when people take precautions, wildfires can still threaten their communities. Koele urges people to make an evacuation plan.
“If a fire does encroach (on) your community, how are you going to get out?” Koele said.
The Wisconsin DNR suggests making a disaster plan with evacuation routes, meeting locations and communication plans. It also recommends thinking about what you might need to take with you. That can include the “four P’s” — papers, prescriptions, pictures and pets — and an emergency supply kit that you prepare beforehand.
