As fall continues, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is advising residents to check fire danger before burning.
This comes as fall fire season is in full swing, in large part due to heightened fire risks from dry conditions and falling leaves.
As we near the end of the month, over fifty wildfires have occurred across the state in October, burning approximately 20 acres of land prior to this week.
However, just days ago, an ATV caught fire in a wooded area in Door County, leading to an additional 70 acres of land being claimed by wildfires.
With this in mind, the DNR has said that nearly all of the wildfires that started in the month of October were human-caused and preventable.
During the fall months before snow accumulation, burning brush and leaf piles continue to be the main cause of wildfires, and state conservationists are urging those who do choose to burn to check the DNR fire danger webpage before doing so.
Along with brush and leaf burns, sparks from recreational equipment, such as the ATV in Door County, campfires, and hot ashes from fireplaces are also contributing factors to heightened wildfires statewide.
With Wisconsin experiencing abnormally dry conditions this fall, the DNR recommends avoiding burning any debris until the ground is completely covered in snow.
The DNR’s fire danger webpage can be found by visiting dnr.wisconsin.gov.
