MIDDLETON, Wis. — With sunny, warm weather in the forecast, Wisconsinites are spending more time outdoors and fire departments are responding to more fires.
Brad Subera is the Battalion Chief for the Middleton Fire Department and he said every summer the number of fires caused by cigarette butts and grilling increases.
“Potted plants are used as ashtrays on decks. The mulch outside of multi-family and single-family homes do lead to quite a few fires,” said Subera.
So far, Subera said the Middleton Fire Department has not responded to any fires started by cigarette butts this summer. But that’s not the case everywhere. Fires were started by cigarettes as close as Madison.
As the warm dry weather continues, he said he expects more calls to come in.
“In years past, in Dane County, the numbers were fairly large, and the damage was fairly significant to those types of fires,” said Subera.
Subera said it is important that smokers dispose of cigarette butts in proper containers and put cigarettes out all the way.
When it comes to fires started in residential areas during the summer, cigarettes aren’t the only cause.
“Grilling is going to be high on people’s priority lists,” said Subera. “We all enjoy cookouts and the fun that you have around the grill, but it is also a time to be careful as well.”
For liquid propane gas grills, Subera said it is important to check the rubber hose that connects the propane to the grill for cracking.
If it is cracked, it’s important to change that.
It is also important to make sure the grill is cleaned, as a buildup of grease can cause a grease fire.
Grills should be placed a safe distance away from homes and anything else that could potentially catch fire.
When conditions are dry, it can also make it easier for forest fires to happen.
Marc Sass, cooperative area forest ranger for the Department of Natural Resources, said people cause 98% of Wisconsin’s forest fires.
“Most of the time it is good people out trying to enjoy the outdoors, clean up the yard, or something like that, but the majority of our fires are caused by debris burning,” said Sass.
Sass said most of the fires near roadways are caused by cars.
“It could be dragging trailer chains; it could be an issue with the exhaust system, but those roadside fires are mostly caused by cars,” said Sass.
If you see a fire, call 911 immediately because they can spread rapidly.