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| 4/27/2007 8:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| While on Wednesday the fire danger was moderate, the risk is expected to increase with the lack of anticipated precipitation. |
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Risk for wildfire expected to increase this weekend
Debbie Munson Badini
Sports/Outdoors Editor
With the Northwoods experiencing dry and drought-like conditions, increased burning restrictions are expected by the weekend.
Though the Department of Natural Resources declared Oneida and Vilas counties to have only a moderate risk of wildfire following rain on Sunday evening, Woodruff Station forester ranger Jack Bonack predicted Tuesday that the risk will raise significantly to high or very high by the weekend if additional precipitation is not seen in the area.
"The risk was very high over the past weekend, then we lowered it to moderate," Bonack said. "But I expect, with the forecast looking pretty dry, that it will be pretty elevated again by the weekend."
In light of several large wildfires that occurred in Lincoln County last weekend, one which burned more than 50 acres according to Bonack, the ranger said he recommends that anyone planning to burn exercise extreme caution.
"One of the fires from last weekend was caused when someone was burning in a barrel and the fire just got away from them because it was too windy," Bonack said. "Another one started a couple of days after people had been burning. They hadn't fully put the fire out and [the embers] got up and started burning again."
Call before you burn
Anyone who plans to use one of the new trial program year-long barrel burning permits or who has received a three-day yard waste burning permit must follow specific rules before burning, Bonack said.
"First, they need to call the toll-free number on the permit or go to the
website printed on the permit to report that they are going to burn on that day," Bonack said. "Then, they must also check for any restrictions that are in place."
But Bonack said that permit holders should use common sense and consider other alternatives to burning during dry times of the year.
"We definitely are not encouraging burning," he said. "People should first consider composting. Or, if they own their own wooded area, they can spread the debris on the ground within the brush line. Another option is bringing yard waste to places like the Woodruff and Arbor Vitae brush sites where waste can be dropped off. Burning should be a last resort."
Other than fires allowed by permit, campfires and warming fires are also allowed at this time of year, but Bonack said that extreme caution should be used for that type of burning as well.
"There has been some pretty significant fire activity in the region for how early it is in the season," he said. "Luckily we haven't had any big fires here yet, but we will. It's coming."
Up-to-date fire danger information is available online at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/fire/Fire_Danger/WDNR-Fire_Report.asp.
Debbie Munson Badini can be reached at debbie@lakelandtimes.com.
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