'Explosive wildfire conditions': Much of Wisconsin under 'Red Flag Warning' for wildfire conditions
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- While the sunshine and temperatures in the high 70's are pleasant relief for many Wisconsinites after a cold, long winter, the warm weather conditions also bring a threat for wildfires in the Badger State.
Wednesday morning, the Wisconsin DNR tweeted out a Red Flag Warning had been issued for 41 Wisconsin counties for April 12, 2023, citing warm temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds and exceptionally dry fuels.
ALERT: Red Flag Warning issued for 41 Wisconsin counties for April 12, 2023.
— Wisconsin DNR (@WDNR) April 12, 2023
Warm temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds and exceptionally dry fuels are anticipated and can result in catastrophic fires.
"Those make for some explosive wildfire conditions," explained Marc Sass, cooperative area forest ranger with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "This is pretty uncommon. To get this Red Flag level, the extreme fire danger, doesn't happen very often in the state."
Governor Tony Evers issued Executive Order #191 declaring a State of Emergency in response to the elevated wildfire risk. In doing so, the DNR now has access to the Wisconsin National Guard's Black Hawk helicopters to help fight fires should they be needed.
"They're flying with about a 600-gallon bucket of water underneath," Sass explained. "They can help cool them (wildfires) down, slow them down from the air and our ground resources can get them from the ground."
In Waukesha County, Lake Country Fire and Rescue chose to get ahead of the threat by issuing a temporary burn ban for the communities it serves. The same was done in the city of Brookfield.
LISTEN TO THE BEAR! ??
— Emerson Lehmann (@ELehmannTV) April 12, 2023
Fire danger is extremely high in over 40 Wisconsin counties today. We’ll have LIVE reports coming up at 4 and 5 on @CBS58. pic.twitter.com/w5T3rHoria
LCFR Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Haerter says with conditions like they are, people need to use extra caution with everyday outdoor activities.
"The combination we have is basically a perfect storm," Haerter said, talking about the weather conditions. "Things that happen on a daily basis, like putting a cigarette out without it being extinguished. A grill with a spark from charcoal; taking a vehicle off-road. Even a lawn mower, it backfiring and getting a spark into the brush and then we have a fire resulting from it."
Both Haerter and Sass say crews are on standby and ready to assist should a fire break out, however, they're hopeful intervention isn't needed.
"We would be remised in our duties to protect the public and their property if we didn't try to prevent the calls we know typically occur under these circumstances," Haerter said. "It's a great time to go for a hike, it's a great time to enjoy this amazing weather, please just don't add fire to it."