DNR Burn Permits Required Due to Drought

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today (Monday) announced that due to prolonged drought conditions and potential for elevated fire danger throughout the fall, the agency is reinstating DNR burning permits by issuing a Special Fire Order. The permit reinstatement will begin at midnight tonight (Monday) in designated DNR protection areas until further notice.

The permit reinstatement applies to 13 extensive DNR protection area counties outside incorporated cities and villages which includes all of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Waupaca and Waushara counties and portions of Oconto, Dane, Grant and Iowa counties.

A DNR annual burning permit is now required for burning in a barrel, a debris pile and grass or wooded areas as outlined by the permit, unless the ground is completely snow-covered. Before burning in these areas, anyone wishing to burn must obtain a DNR burn permit and then visit WisBURN for the current burn restrictions.

Traditionally, DNR burn permits are required in extensive protection areas from January 1 through May 31, anytime the ground is not snow-covered. Reinstating permits allows the DNR to restrict burning on a given day during times of elevated fire danger.

A DNR burn permit is not required for campfires intended for cooking or warming, but the public is reminded to use extreme caution. Consider having small campfires in a designated fire ring or device in the evening hours to avoid burning under elevated fire conditions, which are typically found during the day.

The DNR intends to keep the permit requirements in place until the drought situation improves significantly, either due to long-term rain or snow events. The DNR prescribed burn program will also pause activity this week due to the elevated fire weather conditions. The DNR will continue to evaluate as conditions change.

Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on the DNR website.