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.”
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 May 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 7-0-9
Evening: 0-3-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 6-9-2-4
Evening: 2-4-2-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 01-03-06-07-08-11-12-14-15-16-18
Evening: 02-04-05-07-11-12-15-16-19-21-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from May 14 drawing
01-14-24-25-28
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from May 14 drawing
04-10-18-26-33-36, Doubler: Y
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.
BRILLION (WLUK) — Ariens Nordic Center announced it hired Northeast Wisconsin Olympian Paul Schommer as an employee.
Schommer recently retired from the U.S. Biathlon Team. He competed in the sport at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Ariens sponsored the U.S. Biathlon team.
USA’s Paul Schommer competes in the Biathlon Mixed Relay 4x6km (W+M) event on February 05, 2022 at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
Ariens says in his new role, Schommer will play a part in developing and supporting programming at the Nordic Center. Though his expertises are biathlon and Nordic skiing, Schommer will work with youth of all ages on many outdoor sports and recreational activities.
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Paul to the Ariens Nordic Center team,” said Sr. Director of Ariens Nordic Center Monica Ariens. “His Olympic experience, passion for outdoor sports, and commitment to youth in our community will make him an incredible asset. Paul’s presence will elevate our programming and inspire kids in our community for years to come.”
Ariens Nordic Center near Brillion, December 19, 2022 (WLUK/Eric Peterson)
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Ariens Nordic Center says Schommer can be reached by emailing the site’s main inbox.
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 May 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 13 drawing
22-31-52-56-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 13 drawing
Midday: 6-1-9
Evening: 9-2-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 13 drawing
Midday: 8-8-7-0
Evening: 7-6-1-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from May 13 drawing
Midday: 01-04-09-10-11-12-14-19-20-21-22
Evening: 01-02-07-08-11-13-14-17-19-20-21
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from May 13 drawing
02-12-14-16-28
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from May 13 drawing
04-11-16-25-34-36, Doubler: Y
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks numbers from May 13 drawing
07-19-23-45-47-49
Check Megabucks 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.
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