Gov. Tony Evers has signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency in response to elevated wildfire conditions throughout Wisconsin. The designation allows wildfire suppression support from the Wisconsin National Guard along with mobilizing the Guard's Black Hawk helicopters to the areas most in need of aerial fire suppression resources during the spring fire season.
"The combination of dry vegetation, unseasonably warm temperatures, low relative humidity and increasing south or southeast winds will lead to continued elevated fire weather conditions," Gov. Evers said.
In addition, the order also directs all Wisconsin state agencies to assist as appropriate in wildfire prevention, response and recovery efforts.
Due to the elevated fire risk across the state, burning remains suspended with DNR-issued annual burning permits for debris piles, barrels and grass or wooded areas across the DNR Protection Area.
There have already been more than 320 wildfires reported in Wisconsin so far this year, burning over 1,400 acres.
Categories: Wisconsin, General