Wildfires can happen any time of the year, but with warmer temperatures, low humidity and windy days, Spring is the most critical fire season in wisconsin, according to the DNR.
The Kewaunee Fire Department has made some upgrades that might seem small, but will a huge difference as spring wildfire season approaches, said Greg Hlinak, Fire Chief. Thanks to a $2,000 DNR grant, Kewaunee firefighters now have shovels, rakes and axes, as well as an environmentally safe foam dispenser. "Tthe foam, it cools and smothers fire a lot quicker than just plain water," said Hlinak. "Almost like Dawn dish washing liquid, you know. Makes suds.”
Dry grass, pine needles and leaf litter create hazardous conditions every spring, said Hlinak.
“You burn on windy days, the sparks go down wind, and they catch something else on fire," he said. "Pretty soon, you have a couple acres burning. So you wanna catch that before it starts somebody else’s house, or somebody else’s property, on fire.”