Amid extreme wildfire risk, communities issue burn bans

 

RICHFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Most Wisconsin counties were under a Red Flag Warning Thursday, as a combination of unseasonal warmth, high winds and dry air conspired to create extreme risk of wildfires.

The biggest wildfire in the state burned in West Central Wisconsin, covering nearly 3,000 acres after starting in the northern part of Fort McCoy, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR said Thursday night the Arcadia and Jack Pine fires in Monroe County were 46% contained and had forced evacuations near the towns of Millston and Warrens.

According to a DNR map tracking wildfires, the agency responded to 22 wildfires Thursday after responding to 21 Wednesday. 

Gov. Tony Evers said he was closely monitoring the situation while touring the Jones Island water treatment plant in Milwaukee.

"I receive updates, I would say, almost hourly or every half hour," Evers said.

Evers told reporters Thursday morning he hadn't planned on seeking federal assistance, but added that could change if conditions worsened with the Arcadia fire or if any other significant wildfires sparked.

While the DNR hadn't reported any wildfire responses in Southeast Wisconsin, fire departments in the area issued burn bans. That meant previously granted burn permits were canceled, and any recreational fires were off limits. 

Richfield Volunteer Fire Chief Tony Burgard said people needed to be careful with anything either flammable or capable of causing sparks, such as a chainsaw.

"Something as easy as lighting a grill using a chimney, and when you use those charcoals out, those embers can go flying off," Burgard said. "If they land in some very dry ground, they could light off those fuels as well."

Waukesha County dispatchers confirmed fire crews responded to a brush fire off Highway 59 near Eagle Thursday afternoon, and were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

Burgard said fire departments were in close communication amid the Red Flag Warning because rapid response plans were especially essential Wednesday and Thursday, given how easily fires could spread given the conditions.

"We may call for that help a little bit sooner, get that help coming," Burgard said. "The risks are much quicker, that the fire is gonna grow faster than what we would expect on an early spring morning; that the wind is gonna drive it much faster."