The state Department of Natural Resources says 12 northern Wisconsin are under a “Red Flag Warning” today, due to wildfire concerns.
DNR wilfire prevention specialist Catherine Koele says low humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuel mean there’s a high risk for fires in the region. As a result, the DNR is suspending all burning permits it has issued for destroying debris.
The agency is also urging people not to have any other outdoor burns, such as campfires, and to be cautious when smoking outside and with use of grills, chainsaws, and small-engine vehicles that have the potential to spark wildfires.
The red flag warning last until 7:00 p.m. this evening. It covers Ashland, Iron, Price, Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest, Florence, Oconto, Marinette and Menominee counties.
Koele said officials are keeping an eye on a weather system that is moving into the region later this week, which could bring some much-needed rain to portions of the state that have been at the highest risk for fires this spring. “We’ll be monitoring rain amounts…and hopefully things will kind of settle down,” she said.