The Department of Natural Resources has issued a red flag warning for five northern counties Friday, indicating conditions are ripe for wildfires.
The agency is cancelling all burning permits and discouraging campfires of any sort in Burnett, Douglas, Washburn, Sawyer and Bayfield counties. DNR wildfire prevention specialist Catherine Koele said warm temps and dead grass leftover from winter are a perfect combination for a fire.
“We have started (to) green up in the southern part of the state and as we move north we’re not quite there yet and we’re essentially at the peak of fire season,” Koele said.
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The Governor’s Fishing Opener is this weekend in Washburn County. The DNR is urging people there to be very careful with campfires and mindful of other ignition sources when enjoying the outdoors.
The current red flag warning lasts through 8:00 p.m. Friday.
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