Wisconsin Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Wisconsin - May 20, 2026

Overview

Wisconsin is currently experiencing elevated fire danger, particularly across the northern and western regions of the state. The spring fire season is at its annual peak, driven by a combination of warm temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds, and exceptionally dry fuels. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has responded to nearly 500 wildfires so far in 2026, with 45% of these incidents caused by debris burning.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: While there are no massive mega-fires currently dominating the state, the aggregate fire risk remains severe. Recent rains have not been sufficient to minimize wildfire concerns, as fine fuels dry out rapidly in just a few days between precipitation events. The DNR remains at full staffing and preparedness across the state to respond to any new incidents.

Key Fires:

• Jedi Fire: Located near Rice Lake, WI, this fire has burned 17 acres.
• Fish Fire: Located near Grantsburg, WI, this fire has burned 5 acres.
• Lagoo Creek Fire: Located in the Spooner area, this fire was successfully contained at 3.12 acres. It was detected early by newly installed AI-driven wildfire cameras, allowing DNR suppression resources to be dispatched before the fire could transition into a dangerous crown fire in the surrounding mature red pine.

Fuel Types: The primary fuels feeding recent fire activity include dry grasses, pine needles, and leaf litter. Fire danger is especially elevated in areas with sandy soils where pine trees are extremely vulnerable to "crown fires"—intense flames that move from the ground to the treetops and spread with rapid intensity.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Land management agencies have been highly proactive this spring. The DNR's Prescribed Burn Dashboard recently reported over 636 controlled burns covering nearly 34,000 acres to reduce wildfire potential and improve native habitats. Additionally, Fort McCoy recently concluded a highly successful 2026 prescribed burn season, completing 95% of planned fuel-reduction operations in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. Due to the current elevated risks, the DNR has suspended all DNR-issued burn permits for debris piles and broadcast burning in 31 counties.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Conditions across parts of the state are currently cloudy with temperatures around 49°F and higher humidity, providing some temporary relief.
Forecasted Weather: Over the last 72 hours, the state transitioned out of a critical Red Flag Warning that impacted 11 northern counties (including Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Vilas). However, elevated fire risks persist. Light rain is forecast for later in the week, which may help mitigate hazardous conditions, but until widespread rain occurs, the threat of wildfires remains high.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are strongly advised to avoid all outdoor burning activities, including campfires, warming fires, and debris burning, until conditions improve. The public should also be highly cautious with off-road vehicles, chainsaws, lawnmowers, and dragging trailer chains, which can easily throw sparks and ignite dry vegetation.
Resource Allocation: Agencies are continuously monitoring conditions and coordinating with local fire departments to ensure rapid response capabilities. A significant new development is the installation of AI-driven wildfire detection cameras in northwestern Wisconsin (including Hayward, Luck, Spooner, and Tomah) to provide 24/7 monitoring and quick notifications to first responders.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Wisconsin DNR WisBurn Tool: apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.