No Burning Ban Yet, But Risk is High

The City of Muskego did see a fair amount of rain last Saturday night (about an inch), which could be why it hasn't followed suit as some of its neighbors in calling a ban on burning.

The town of Somers and Paris and the villages of Bristol and Pleasant Prairie in Kenosha County, and Menomonee Falls all have declared burning bans as the lack of rain has created a high risk for fires. However, there's been no word yet if we'll have to hold the fire pit until we see more rain fall.

In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has outlined the southern half of the state as a high risk for fire. According to their website, the designation means "fires start readily from a match or sparks, spread quickly, and spot readily, and are difficult to control. Burning is not recommended."

Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti said a ban is being considered, but the city is awaiting further data, input from Fire Chief Carl Wojnowski and other municipalities as well as what the extended forecast holds.

With that in mind, it's better to be safe than sorry. Although current burning ordinances allow for outdoor burning including dry brush, dry leaves, dry plant clippings, dry limbs, dry branches, dry logs or bonfires, if it can wait, it should.

Also part of the ordinance are burning restrictions with regard to wind speed.  The recent high winds have meant no burning is allowed, as wind velocity can't be more than 15 miles per hour.

In the meantime, it might be a good idea to learn a rain dance, as the 4th of July holiday is just around the corner, and fireworks permit in hand or not, a ban trumps it all.