Wisconsin
Wildfires are down in Wisconsin so far in 2026. Here’s why
Drone view of wildfire smoke from Canada over downtown Milwaukee
A blanket of smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts into downtown Milwaukee. It’s expected to move back north on Aug. 1.
Wisconsin is having fewer wildfires now than in past years, and officials say it’s because residents are being smarter and safer.
More than 700 acres of Wisconsin have been burned in 300 wildfires so far in 2026, according to the state’s wildfire dashboard. That’s 20 fewer wildfires burning about 400 fewer acres when compared to the state’s 10-year average by this time of year.
Catherine Koele, a wildfire prevention specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said it’s a common misconception that Wisconsin doesn’t have many wildfires – people usually think of California when they think of wildfires.
But wildfires do happen in Wisconsin. In the past 10 years, the state has averaged about 900 wildfires burning nearly 2,000 acres annually, state data shows. Just this week, a red flag warning was issued for Burnett and Washburn counties in northwestern Wisconsin. A red flag warning is issued when factors combine to create especially dangerous wildfire conditions.
“Fires do happen here and more often than people think,” Koele told the Journal Sentinel. “The biggest difference is that 98% of our fires are caused by people.”
Why has Wisconsin seen fewer wildfires so far this year?
In the western United States, wildfire season usually lasts from summer to early fall. But that part of the country has different vegetation, and fires are often started by lightning and bolstered by strong winds, Koele said.
A third of Wisconsin’s wildfires are caused by burning debris, like landowners burning yard waste and losing control of the flames. Koele said the situation has improved somewhat thanks to more citizen reporting and improved technology.
She explained that people are more aware of times when conditions are especially prone to wildfires, including in early spring, after the snow melts but no rain has fallen yet, meaning grass, leaves and pine needles are dry. While climate change has brought more rain to Wisconsin, it’s also sporadic, she said. Mild winters also extend the peak danger season for wildfires.
Koele said there are also proactive steps people can take to prevent wildfires.
How can I prevent wildfires?
It’s important to know what burn restrictions are in place and to get a burn permit. Composting, recycling or chipping wood debris before burning is also important, Koele said.
She also echoed sentiments from Smokey Bear:
- Drown and stir campfires. Repeat this process until the embers are cold
- Don’t use fireworks or hot equipment on dry or grassy areas
- Never leave a fire unattended
Koele said wildfire prevention “reduces stress on wildlife, protects the aesthetic beauty of our forests and reduces the cost of firefighting efforts and economic losses associated with property damage, timber loss and large-scale evacuations.”
Topline
The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted Friday to send two complaints to prosecutors alleging Elon Musk violated state election laws by writing checks to voters last year, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported—after Musk invested tens of millions of dollars to support failed conservative candidate Brad Schimel.
Elon Musk gives a $1 million check to Nicholas Jacobs during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on March 30, 2025. (Photo by ROBIN LEGRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
The commission voted 5-1 finding probable cause Musk violated the state’s election bribery statute when he offered money to people who voted in the 2025 election.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 13 drawing
05-25-36-40-48, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 4-6-2
Evening: 4-1-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 0-6-6-8
Evening: 1-6-6-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 01-04-05-06-07-08-10-11-13-15-22
Evening: 05-06-07-09-12-14-16-19-20-21-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from July 13 drawing
23-24-25-26-29
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from July 13 drawing
01-07-13-18-24-29, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
(WLUK) — The IRS is giving Wisconsin residents and business owners who were affected by severe weather in April, more time to file their taxes.
These taxpayers now have until Nov. 2, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals and households that reside in Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties, as well as the Oneida Indian Reservation qualify for tax relief.
The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after April 13, 2026, and before Nov. 2, 2026, are granted additional time to file.
Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after April 13, 2026, and before April 28, 2026, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by April 28, 2026.
The Nov. 2, 2026, deadline also applies to affected quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on April 30 and July 31, 2026.
If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.
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