As spring brings the wildfire season to central Wisconsin, longtime residents of Adams County worry it also could bring a repeat of the Cottonville fire that scorched thousands of acres and dozens of homes 15 years ago.
The fire broke out May 5, 2005, as a 55-year-old Racine man was trying to clear brush on property near Big Flats. Sparks from the burning brush jumped the fire ring he had created and quickly raged out of control.
The fire went on to burn 3,410 acres, nine year-round homes, 21 seasonal homes and at least 60 outbuildings.
Big Flats Fire Chief Dick Meyers was at home when the page went out for the Adams County Fire District to respond to a wildfire. Meyers said he decided to respond to the fire right away, even though the Big Flats Fire Department wasn't called, because he knew the dry conditions would spread the flames quickly through the pine forests.