Effective March 27, All DNR Burning Permits Are Suspended Until Further Notice

News Release

What does this mean?

• All DNR burn permits suspended and will no longer be issued (written or electronically)
• NO burning debris piles in barrels, on the ground, grass or wooded areas
• Small campfires for warming or cooking are ok but, strongly discouraged; burning debris in a campfire ring is NOT considered a campfire

How will I know when I get a burn permit and/or burn debris again?

• Check website dnr.wi.gov, keyword “fire” and the DNR social media for the up-to-date status
• DNR will continue to remain in compliance with department leadership mandates and recommendations and will evaluate wildfire and pandemic risks as the situation evolves

Why is this being done?

• Spring in Wisconsin has the highest fire risk; debris burning is the #1 cause
  • After snowmelt and before green-up when vegetation is dry (March-May)
• People are traditionally doing yard clean-up and choose to burn to dispose of yard waste, increasing fire risk
• Increase social distancing/decrease person-to-person contact and decrease geographic travel of emergency responders and firefighters
• Teleworking and reduced number of available staff may result in compromised emergency response and can result in rapid wildfire growth
• Reduce smoke impact to those with compromised respiratory functions and firefighters

Are public services still being provided?

• Fire and emergency response personnel are prepared to respond as usual
  • They are operating on more strict standard operating procedures (e.g., one person per vehicle, sanitizing equipment, precautions when interacting with others, etc.)
  • Response time may be slower (see above)
• Fire detection measures include citizen reporting and patrol aircraft; report fires early, dial 911

What if I have a special situation/need?

• Special burning permits may be allowed for time-sensitive reasons and with a site inspection (e.g., agricultural site prep or land clearing development)
  • Contact your local forester to discuss; please allow extra response time
  • You may be asked to video or photo the site and email or text images