Posted on , by Megan Dull

Fire Weather Conditions

Dry conditions, wind and little forecasted rain leave much of Wisconsin in Very High wildfire danger this week.
We’re asking the public to check fire conditions before conducting outdoor burning activities.
So far in 2025, 665 wildfires have burned 2,224 acres of land.
 
Even a few days between precipitation can dry out grasses, pine needles and leaf litter, creating hazardous conditions. Add low humidity and variable winds to the mix, and fire danger increases significantly. The 7-day forecast shows no precipitation for much of central and northern Wisconsin, exacerbating the conditions in areas already in Very High fire danger.
 
This elevated fire danger will continue until there is significant rainfall, and the DNR is continuing to suspend burn permits in 36 counties where it has burn restriction authority. DNR burn permit restrictions and fire danger vary from county to county.
 
Embers from any fire, especially burn piles and campfires, can easily get out of control and cause a wildfire if not properly extinguished. Please avoid all burning until conditions improve.
Be extra careful with off-road vehicles or equipment that can create a spark and start a fire. With dry weather conditions across much of the state, fires can spark at any time.
 
Follow these simple tips to prevent wildfires from getting out of control:
– Avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve.
– Secure dragging trailer chains.
– Operate equipment (chainsaws, off-road vehicles, lawnmowers, etc.) early in the morning or late in the day to avoid sparks at peak burn hours.
– Report fires early and call 911.
 
– Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on the DNR’s website: https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/#/
 

BRF Area Fire Behavior Forecast

Date: May 7, 2025, 4:00 PM

Latest Live Fuel moisture measured in Rome (5/4/25) were: PJ = 95%    PR = 88%

Discussion: No RH recovery overnight and in the mid-50% range currently.  I used a lower RH here than predicted.

Continuous crown fire at the head and intermittent on the flanks in young pine today.  Expect torching where ladder fuels are present in more mature stands.

FFMC is over 90 again, meaning high potential for spot fires.  Plan ahead for mop up needs in the heavier fuels.

Weather Station: Black River Falls

Input values (16:00):     Temp: 70.1°F   RH: 25%         20-foot wind speeds: 9.2 mph   Precip: 0.00 in

Fire Behaviour Predictions for 16:00:

FUEL MODEL

O-1a Matted Grass
 (1.00tn/ac, 75% cured)

O-1b Standing Grass
 (3.00tn/ac, 80% cured)

C-4 Immature Jack or Lodgepole Pine
 (5.00ft CBH)

(95% FMC)

C-3 Mature Jack or Lodgepole Pine
 (95% FMC)

M-1 Boreal Mixedwood – Leafless
 (95% FMC)

(30% conifer)

(10% Shading)

S-1 Jack or Lodgepole Pine Slash
 

HEAD FIRE ROS (ch/h)

69.00

94.51

46.15

22.20

20.11

41.44

CRITICAL ROS

0.00

0.00

9.97

119.87

36.14

0.00

FL-HEAD (ft)

7.47

14.31

20.51

5.04

6.86

21.15

FL-FLANK (ft)

3.13

5.88

20.51

2.72

3.87

12.18

PIG (%)

98

98

95

95

60.00

60.00

AREA (ac)  @

60 minutes

15 minutes

 

95.22,

1.98

 

164.23,

3.42

 

78.23,

1.28

 

15.13,

0.28

 

15.09,

0.28

 

69.80,

1.31

Predicted Canadian Indices:

Station

Precipitation
(in)

FFMC
(90+)

DMC
(20+)

DC
(300+)

ISI
(10+)

BUI
(30+)

FWI
(24+)

Black River Falls

0.00

93.4

20.6

30.9

14.6

20.3

18.8

Augusta

0.00

91.5

22.6

42.4

13.2

22.5

18.3

Necedah

0.00

90.8

17.6

34.0

12.1

17.5

15.3

Star Prairie

0.00

92.2

31.2

47.4

17.3

30.9

25.8

Ganoe Hill

0.00

91.2

23.7

46.3

14.7

23.6

20.3

Ladysmith

0.00

92.4

26.1

46.2

15.2

25.9

21.7

La Crosse

0.00

90.6

20.5

38.1

12.2

20.4

16.5