Crews Battle Multiple Wildfires in Minong and Wascott

MINONG & WASCOTT, Wis.– Fire crews in northwest Wisconsin battled multiple wildfires this weekend including a large one near Minong that ignited Saturday evening.

Nearly 200 acres burned west of Highway 53 and east of Smith Bridge Road in Washburn County. Two trailer homes and five secondary structures mostly sheds were destroyed by flames.

The DNR had 22 different pieces of equipment battling the fire including two water-scooping planes. 12 local fire departments also assisted. There were no reports of injuries.

Meanwhile, a second wildfire ignited near Apple Lake in the town of Wascott. Around 20 acres burned in a pine plantation, the fire is now contained a cause is under investigation.

“The Smith Bridge fire started around 3:15 p.m, we had line all the way around the fire by about 8 o’clock,” said Ben Garrett, Wildland Urban Interface Specialist, Wisconsin DNR. “So we got a whole bunch of equipment in on it real quick, we borrowed some air resources from Minnesota, they sent us a couple of single engine tankers which really helped us out. And then all of our training, this is what we train for.”

Officials say, the fire dangers are a result of the seasonal drought and high winds. The Wisconsin DNR advises everybody to avoid outdoor burning until the conditions improve.

“Probably the biggest thing is being careful with fire, if you’re going to have outdoor fires make sure you have water handy, if you’re planning on burning yard debris, make sure you’re following our burn permit restrictions in Wisconsin,” said Garrett.

Most of Minnesota is also under a high fire danger, with parts of northwest Minnesota under a red flag warning for the potential of rapidly growing wildfires there.