Moving soon to “Extreme”? Volunteer firefighters are standing by to heighten the alert from “High” to “Extreme” if the potential for wildfires worsens around Taylor in Jackson County. Caution has been encouraged with campfires and even outdoor grilling — and also industrial operations like the Badger Mining pits across U.S. Highway 95. Image: Steve Lunde
Red Flag fire warning for northwest counties
SUPERIOR, Wis. — State foresters posted a Red Flag warning for five northern Wisconsin counties where almost countless small wildfires have broken out. Firefighters responded to more than 130 wildfires in the past week. These were mostly in Burnett, Douglas, Sawyer and Washburn counties. This means that a confluence of high temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds and dry forest fuels can result in catastrophic fires. So far the fires have been small and easily contained. The largest, the Swiss Complex Fire in Burnett County, consisted of two fires that came together and burned 60 acres and one structure. In southwest Wisconsin, the Warthog Fire in Juneau County burned 130 acres. Homes were evacuated in the Mather area of Kingston township, population 280.