WISCONSIN — A fire weather watch is in effect across northern Wisconsin, according to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Wisconsin DNR asked people to avoid burning due to the critical fire danger. Both Wisconsin DNR and the National Weather Service are monitoring the situation.

Areas with "very high” fire danger on Monday include Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Oconto, Oneida, Polk, Price, Sawyer, Vilas and Washburn counties.

Areas with “high” fire danger on Monday include Barron, Chippewa, Marathon, Menominee, Rusk, Shawano and Taylor counties.

“Fire control officials are pre-positioning equipment for rapid response, including two Wisconsin Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters stationed in Rhinelander and two single engine air tankers in Solon Springs,” Wisconsin DNR said.

Wisconsin DNR said all DNR-issued burning permits for debris piles, burn barrels and prescribed burns are suspended Monday, in 21 counties, where the DNR has burning permit authority. Check the current fire danger levels and permit restrictions, here. 

With dry air, wind and warm temperatures in the forecast, Wisconsin DNR said the level of fire danger in northern parts of the state is expected to remain high throughout the week.

“The sandy pines areas of northern Wisconsin are always the slowest to green up. Additionally, tree growth in this part of the state is at a volatile stage,” Wisconsin DNR explained. “Combined with very low humidity and the potential for winds, fires could spread out of control rapidly at this time.”

Wisconsin DNR said it has responded to 281 wildfires this year. Those wildfires have burned more than 3,358 acres of Wisconsin land; most of the wildfires were related to debris burning. Wisconsin DNR said debris burning is the “single largest cause of wildfires in Wisconsin.”

The southern half of the state is only seeing low levels of fire danger. Wisconsin DNR said “vegetation has greened up and the area has received periodic rain over the last few weeks.”

The DNR released the following fire safety tips in light of the fire danger levels: