State officials are warning counties in western and central Wisconsin about a high risk of wildfires.
On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported very high fire danger in 28 counties in the western half of the state, from St. Croix and Taylor counties down to Dane and Green counties. Much of the rest of the state has a high fire risk aside from eight counties in far northern Wisconsin.
Michele Witecha, a prescribed fire specialist for the DNR who is currently supporting wildfire suppression efforts, said the current fire danger comes from high winds and low relative humidity levels across the region, on top of the lack of significant rain and dry vegetation. DNR officials responded to 19 wildfires affecting 120 acres on Monday. Witecha said many were a result of debris burning by people who were not aware of the high fire risk.