Extreme fire danger for Wood County

Written by Marshfield News-Herald

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Due to high winds, dry conditions and low humidity Wood County is under a red flag warning regarding fire until 7 p.m. today.

Other counties included in the warning issued by the state Department of Natural Resources are Adams, Bayfield, Burnett, Clark, Douglas, Eau Claire, Green Lake, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, Polk, Portage, Sawyer, Washburn, Waupaca and Waushara.

A Red Flag Warning is issued when a variety of weather factors come together to create especially dangerous wild land fire conditions. High temperatures, low humidity's, high winds, and exceptionally dry fuels are anticipated and can result in catastrophic fires.

As a result, the Department of natural resources have suspended all DNR issued burning permits, and is asking everyone to be especially careful with any activities that could potentially lead to a wildfire.

Campfires, outdoor grills, smoking, chain saws, ATV use or other small engine use all have the potential to throw a spark and ignite a dangerous and destructive fire.

Officials warn people to use restraint and extreme caution during these unusually dangerous circumstances.

The DNR and local fire departments put out a 113-acre blaze southwest of Grantsburg on Thursday evening. Despite recent rain, St. Croix Area Forestry Leader Steve Runstrom says high winds and low humidity have dried out grasses and dead leaves.

County-by-county burning regulations are available on the DNR's website at http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fire/fire_danger/Wis_Burn/StateCounties.asp.

Source: http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/article/20100417/MNH0101/100417009/Extreme-fire-danger-for-Wood-County

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“During the past decade, I have personally had six out of seven elk hunts ruined by the careless intrusions of ATV operators. This epidemic has forced me to abandon one prime hunting area after another, only to encounter the same situation elsewhere. The shameful part of this picture is that the overwhelming majority of these ATV’ers are young and healthy, not decrepit or physically challenged. Maybe these riders would be more respectful of other people's outdoor experience if they knew we could ID them."

- Bill Sustrich, Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers