Fires arrive early in Wisconsin

Javascript is required to use this website.

1 of 13

A fire spreads through a pile of debris. Debris burning is the No. 1 cause of fires in Wisconsin. To report wildfires and burns that are out of control dial 911.

WDNR

Wildfire spreads in a forest in northern Wisconsin. Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov and search for 'fire management' to track wildfires and for more information.

WDNR

A wildfire burns Feb. 25, 2024, in Washburn County, Wisconsin. This is the first year since records have been kept that Wisconsin has experienced wildfires before March 1 north of U.S. Highway 8. Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov and search for 'prepare fire' to learn to prepare for fires and for more information.

WDNR

A bulldozer plows a fireline to a paved road during a Wisconsin wildfire. Visit apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn for current fire danger.

WDNR

A Wisconsin wildfire burns to the edge of a fireline.

WDNR

Wildland firefighters and equipment move out to engage a wildfire.

WDNR

A bulldozer plows a fireline down to mineral soil as a wildland firefighter monitors the line.

WDNR

A wildfire spreads across Wisconsin Highway 29. Drought conditions create dry conditions in forests and make large wildfires more likely.

WDNR

A bulldozer and plow are secured on a trailer. Firefighting equipment is maintained in a state of readiness during fire season in Wisconsin. In 2023 Wisconsin's fire season started March 1 and continued through November. This year Wisconsin had at least 84 wildfires by the last day of February.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A Wisconsin DNR firetruck is clean and ready to respond to a fire call. The DNR has a fire-rider program for people who want to be involved with wildland firefighting. Visit a DNR ranger station or dnr.wisconsin.gov -- search for 'employment' -- for more information.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

A sign marks a Wisconsin DNR ranger station. People in the DNR Forest Fire Protection Area can obtain burn permits in person at a ranger station or visit dnr.wisconsin.gov for more information.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

Trucks shine at a fire department in far-northern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry has instructors available to give wildland-fire training to fire departments in cooperative fire-protection areas of Wisconsin. Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov and search for 'fire training' for more information.

Jason Maloney/For Agri-View

Jason Maloney and Red

Prefer us on Google

Jason Maloney For Agri-View

Editor’s note: Fire danger in Wisconsin has fluctuated wildly during the past week – from an almost-all-yellow dangerous map to an almost all-green-okay map. Be sure to check dnr.wisconsin.gov/wisburn after 9 a.m. daily to learn if it’s safe to burn.

Jason Maloney is an “elderly” farm boy from Marinette County, Wisconsin. He’s a retired educator, a retired soldier and a lifelong Wisconsin resident. He lives on the shore of Lake Superior with his wife, Cindy Dillenschneider, and Red, a sturdy loyal Australian Shepherd.