More than 300 forest fires have destroyed nearly 1,500 acres since the beginning of the year, and firefighters warn that this may be a longer-than-average season.
Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin signed an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency in response to the heightened forest fire conditions, underscoring state efforts to control the fires that have already burned nearly 1,500 acres this year.
The executive order allows state agencies to assist in forest fire prevention, response and recovery efforts.
It also allows support from the Wisconsin National Guard, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
“With almost the entire state experiencing a high or very high fire risk, protecting Wisconsin residents from the destructive dangers of forest fires is a top priority,” Evers said in a press release.
Last week, there were 149 forest fires in Wisconsin, according to a map on the department’s website, and at least 340 fires since the beginning of the year.
Over the weekend, most of Wisconsin was at very high fire risk, including counties along the Illinois state border and counties along Lake Michigan. Statewide forest fire conditions will persist as long as there is a mixture of dry vegetation, exceptionally hot temperatures, low humidity and rising winds, the department said.
Licenses for burning piles of rubbish, barrels and grass were suspended last week, and firefighters advised residents to avoid all open fires, including bonfires, and to put out cigarettes properly.
While forest fires can occur at any time of the year, the department said, most fires occur between March and May, making spring the most critical fire season in Wisconsin.
Because of how early the snow melted across the state, firefighters are predicting a longer-than-average fire season this year.
Wisconsin has seen its share of destructive forest fires in the past 20 years. In 2013, a logging team accidentally started a fire that destroyed nearly 7,500 acres, including 23 homes, the department said. In 2005, a fire burned 3,410 acres and destroyed at least 30 homes.