On May 21, 2023 at approximately 7:23 p.m. the Washington County Communications Center began taking 911 calls reporting smoke and flame coming from Oak Creek Wood Products, which is located alongside I-41 south of Slinger in the Town of Polk. The first responding Deputy observed dark smoke coming from the area while still en route. Slinger Fire was subsequently paged to the scene.
Upon the first deputy’s arrival, a piece of equipment and a mulch pile were found to be actively on fire and spreading quickly in the rear of the business. The response was upgraded to the MABAS Box level.
Due to the nature of the business and the amount of flammable material, the fire continued to spread rapidly on large mulch piles and stacked pallets, before also entering the building itself, which is located closer to the interstate.