The winds have been whipping through the area for the past two days, and while that wind has meant keeping coats out of the closet for a few more days, it has also led Wisconsin officials to be wary of the risk of fires.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a Thursday release strongly urging the public to avoid burning now through the weekend, due to high winds expected across the state.
The National Weather Service out of Green Bay is predicting winds potentially gusting over 40 mph in the Manitowoc area over the coming days.
Embers can easily escape any fire, so burning debris piles could easily cause a wildfire. That risk is amplified on windy days.
Small fires for warming or cooking are still allowed but they are highly discouraged, especially during the daytime, as even a small spark could ignite a wildfire during windy conditions. Care should be taken with any outdoor flames, campfires, ash disposal or equipment use.
The department’s report noted that there were nearly 60 wildfires in the last week, burning 175 acres. Most have been related to debris burning.
Remember to check any recent debris burns for smoldering embers, as the winds expected this weekend could cause fires to rekindle.
The Department of Natural Resources has an online resource dedicated to daily fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions. It can be checked at DNR.Wisconsin.gov.
