Despite scattered rain showers this weekend, elevated fire conditions continue today through Wednesday, especially in northern Wisconsin, where the fire danger is high to very high due to low relative humidity and slower progression of green-up.
Fires under these circumstances can start easily and spread quickly. Fire officials now anticipate a slightly longer than average fire season.
Certain areas of the state are particularly concerning at this time, including sandy soil, pine areas and the areas in Langlade and Oconto counties where the blowdown took place last July, leaving an abundance of fuel for a wildfire.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources responded to 16 fires over the weekend, all of which were contained due to rapid fire suppression efforts.