State officials are taking emergency action to help reduce the number of wildfires. The Department of Natural Resources has issued an emergency fire ban in seven northern Wisconsin counties. Forest fire management Chief Blair Anderson says that prohibits any burning in those areas, including campfires and even smoking in rural areas.
Anderson says the action was needed after wildfires this spring burned 3,500 acres. While the southern portions of the state are turning mostly green at this point, Anderson says areas to the north are still "tinder dry" in many places.
The DNR is also taking action to make sure equipment is ready to battle any new wildfires. Anderson says equipment is being moved north to help deal with any future problems.
The restrictions are in place for Bayfield, Douglas, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Washburn, and Sawyer counties.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 :59)
