Fire danger lingers in parts of Northeast Wisconsin as Memorial Day weekend nears

(WLUK) -- While fire danger has dropped sharply for most of Wisconsin, some of us still have issues.

Parts of Northeast Wisconsin remain in the Moderate category, including Brown and Outagamie counties. And others are still in the High and even Very High categories, like Marinette, Forest and Florence counties.

Experts are worried that could be a problem with Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching.

There's nothing quite like having a campground bonfire on Memorial Day weekend. But this year, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Ranger Garrett Lubbers says people should keep a watchful eye on fire conditions.

Lubbers is based in Oconto County, and knows how many people like to travel up north for Memorial Day festivities.

"As people drive north, they'll probably see the scattered Smokey signs throughout the area. That indicates fire danger, says burning permits are required. Those are a good first step to kind of see what those conditions are out there," Lubbers said.

It's already been an active fire season so far, even by spring standards. Spring is peak season for fires, but this year, there have already been about 300 more fires than usual through this time of year -- and more than twice the number of fires bigger than five acres.

There were even six more fires reported Tuesday alone. And even with Tuesday's rain, it might take a bit for fire danger in the sandy-soil Northwoods to abate.

"That green-up hasn't started to fully peak yet, so conditions are still relatively dry," Lubbers said. "That ground condition, the grasses, the leaf litter -- that stuff's still pretty crunchy."

But Lubbers says even if there are burn bans put in place during daytime hours or for certain types of burning, it might be tough for fire danger to get so high that even evening bonfires would be banned as well.

"It is pretty dry out there. If they do have a campfire, we want them to do that safely. Have some water on hand, make sure it's in a good fire ring and there's not tall grass and leaves around the camp fire," Lubbers said.

So don't leave the s'mores and wieners at home this Memorial Day weekend -- just make sure you're being responsible if you want that fire for cooking them