Conditions are tinder dry across much of Wisconsin's north woods. There's been a longterm drought in parts of northern Wisconsin. Trent Marty, DNR chief of forest protection, says people should know some areas in the northwest near Spooner and Hayward are down 30 inches of precipitation since 2004.
“It's important for folks to realize that if they do start a forest fire, they are responsible for the suppression costs, and the damage that they do cause with that fire,” says Marty.
There's been only scatted rainfall in recent weeks. “If we don't get rain this week, we will probably put in emergency burning restrictions, in parts of the state, especially in the northwest,” Marty adds. Marty says residents and visitors “up north” should be mindful of vehicle exhausts, machinery, campfires, cigarettes and fireworks.
AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:55 MP3)
