WALES, Wis.— Fire danger is at a high warning across the entire state of Wisconsin as of Monday, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
This wildfire season is unusually early for the state of Wisconsin. Lake Country Fire Rescue has been training and is prepared for what comes its way.
Lake Country Fire Rescue is located in Wales. The department said it responded to a handful of brush fires in the past month, which is much earlier than usual for them.
Wildfire season typically doesn’t start until April or May. However, with abnormally warmer temperatures and no frost on the ground, it’s ahead of schedule.
“We’ve been seeing grass fires for a month now,” said Lake Country Fire Rescue Assistant Chief, Matthew Haerter. “Typically, we wouldn’t see them for another month from now.”
Haerter said their crews have gone straight from ice rescue season to wildfire season. He said it’s not something he has experienced in his career ever before.
“This is the absolute earliest that I can remember frost not being on the ground,” he said.
The department said it’s been responding to an increase of brush fires within the community. They have been continuing their training with the tools necessary to fight these types of fires.
Firefighter Elle Steizer has been training and said it’s beneficial to get this type of experience while the season is off to an early start.
“It’s good that we get out and train early,” said Steizer. “It’s definitely better to do it before we get into more of these windy days,”
The combination of the dry ground, low dew points and windy conditions is what’s needed to create the perfect recipe for fires to spread easily and quickly.
Haerter said it’s extra important for everyone to monitor conditions closely and use common sense when thinking about burning anything.
“If it’s windy, and it’s dry, we absolutely ask you to think twice before you set fire to something,” said Haerter. “Because there is a good chance that you aren’t going to be able to contain it, and the results of that can be disastrous.”
He said their department is always prepared, but hopes their services won’t be needed.
Fires like these start in many ways. Controlled burns can get out of control easily. However, Haerter said things like grilling and even throwing a cigarette on the ground can cause a fire easily.