Wisconsin

Wildfires are down in Wisconsin so far in 2026. Here’s why

Published

2 months ago

April 24, 2026

Wildfires are down in Wisconsin so far in 2026. Here’s why

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.”

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 13, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 13, 2026

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 13, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 13 drawing

03-13-44-50-53, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 13 drawing

Midday: 0-0-0

Evening: 7-4-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 13 drawing

Midday: 6-0-8-7

Evening: 6-4-6-7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from June 13 drawing

Midday: 01-03-04-08-10-11-12-15-16-17-20

Evening: 01-04-05-08-10-11-12-14-16-20-22

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from June 13 drawing

04-21-22-26-27

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from June 13 drawing

05-07-23-26-32-39, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks numbers from June 13 drawing

04-23-28-32-43-48

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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Wisconsin

Wisconsin basketball adds 7-foot-1 center Jack Thelen to 2027 recruiting class

Published

13 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin basketball adds 7-foot-1 center Jack Thelen to 2027 recruiting class

Minneapolis-area center Jack Thelen committed to the Badgers on June 13.
Thelen, a 7-foot-1 center, received his first high-major scholarship offer from Wisconsin on June 10.
Wisconsin’s 2027 class also includes in-state standout Jalen Brown.

Wisconsin men’s basketball has quickly gone from zero commitments to two in its 2027 recruiting class.

Eight days after in-state star Jalen Brown’s commitment, Minneapolis-area center Jack Thelen committed to the Badgers as well, he announced via Instagram on June 13.

Thelen’s choice of the Badgers followed UW’s scholarship offer on June 10. It was his first reported offer from a high-major program. His other offers included Miami (Ohio), Murray State and Montana.

The 7-foot-1, 235-pound center is from Maple Grove, Minnesota, which also is where UW alum Brad Davison went to high school. Thelen is high school and AAU teammates with fellow 2027 recruiting target Baboucarr Ann. Thelen does not have a rating yet from 247 Sports or Rivals.

UW now has two commitments in its 2027 class, which is ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 12th nationally by 247 Sports. Rivals has similarly ranked the class fifth in the Big Ten and 18th nationally.

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