MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is issuing an executive order to declare a State of Emergency due to elevated wildfire risk in the state.
Nearly the entire state is under high or very high fire risk due to dry conditions. The governor’s office says there have already been more than 320 wildfires reported in Wisconsin so far this year, burning more than 1,400 acres of land.
The order issued Monday will allow the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to get help in its wildfire suppression effort from the Wisconsin National Guard, including sending the Guard’s Blackhawk helicopters to areas of the state where aerial efforts are needed.
“The ability of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to have all available resources ready to be quickly dispatched is a critical element in keeping fires small and achieving swift containment,” Gov. Evers said in a statement.
The DNR is reporting at least six wildfires currently burning in Wisconsin as of Monday. An up-to-date map of fires across the state, as well as current burning restrictions, can be found on the DNR’s website.
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