The Department of Natural Resources has suspended burn permits in more than 20 counties in the northwestern and southern parts of the state because of dry conditions and strong winds.
Trenton Marty, who directs the Bureau of Forest Protection for the DNR, said it’s early for central and northwestern Wisconsin to already be experiencing this degree of risk. Marty said a lack of snow cover statewide is a factor.
“Typically, here in the south, as soon as the snow’s gone — that’s generally in mid-March or so — we generally see a rise in fire danger because of the grass fuels down here and stuff. But having central and northwest Wisconsin involved this early in the season is quite unusual,” said Marty.
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Marty said the suspension shouldn’t last long. He said cooler temperatures are expected later this week.
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