MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Division of Pure Sources (DNR), together with the Nationwide Climate Service, has issued a Crimson Flag Warning for immediately, Thursday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to eight p.m. for the next counties within the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin:

Adams, Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Inexperienced, Inexperienced Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Washington, Winnebago and Wooden counties.

A Crimson Flag Warning is issued when a wide range of climate components come collectively to create particularly harmful wildland hearth circumstances. Heat temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds and exceptionally dry fuels are anticipated and may end up in catastrophic fires.

That is the second day in a row Wisconsin is present process these circumstances. In consequence, the counties within the impacted space will stay at Excessive hearth hazard. The DNR will proceed to ban burning with all DNR-issued burning permits. The general public ought to be particularly cautious with any actions that might probably result in a wildland hearth and keep away from burning. 

Campfires, ashes from fireplaces, out of doors grills, smoking, chainsaws, off-road automobiles or different small engines have the potential to throw a spark, ignite a fireplace and unfold rapidly. Please use excessive warning till the fireplace climate improves. 

Moreover, Gov. Tony Evers yesterday signed Government Order #191 declaring a State of Emergency in response to elevated wildfire circumstances all through Wisconsin.

The Government Order permits wildfire suppression help from the Wisconsin Nationwide Guard and help with quickly mobilize the Guard’s Black Hawk helicopters to the areas of the state in most want of aerial hearth suppression sources in the course of the spring hearth season which usually lasts by way of Could. Government Order #191 additionally directs all Wisconsin state companies to help as acceptable in wildfire prevention, response and restoration efforts.

The DNR responded to 21 wildfires, burning over 2,500 acres yesterday. A number of fires occurred in Juneau and Jackson counties, ensuing within the mobilization of a DNR incident administration group. The Jack Pine Hearth burned an estimated 100 acres and is presently contained. The DNR, beneath unified command with Fort McCoy, can be managing the two,800-acre Arcadia Hearth. Almost 80 wildfires have occurred within the final week.

Hearth management officers might be on excessive alert throughout your entire state once more immediately, pre-positioning gear for speedy response and checking burned areas from earlier fires. The DNR anticipates continued dry, elevated hearth circumstances with a slight reprieve heading into the weekend with some possibilities of rain.

Test present hearth hazard, wildfire studies and burning restrictions on the DNR web site.