Emergency Burning Restrictions and Campfire Notice for the Wisconsin State Park System

The State of Wisconsin has issued emergency burning restrictions for the following counties: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood counties, and portions of Dane, Grant, Iowa, Jackson, Juneau, Monroe and Wood.

The burning restrictions are primarily due to the lack of precipitation resulting in abnormally dry conditions.

Under these restrictions, burning of any combustible material outdoors is prohibited until further notice at the Wisconsin State Park System properties located within these counties.

This includes (subject to change):

• All fireworks (restricted and non-restricted);
• combustible material in a burn pile or burn barrel, including grass or wooded areas (all DNR burn permits suspended);
• campfires with the exception of developed camping areas within a metal fire ring;
• outdoor disposal of ashes, charcoal briquettes, matches or any burning material;
• and smoking a cigar, cigarette, or pipe, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.

The state park properties impacted by the burning restrictions include: Blue Mound, Buckhorn, Devil’s Lake, Governor Dodge, Hartman Creek, Mill Bluff, Mirror Lake, Roche-A-Cri, Rocky Arbor, Tower Hill and Wyalusing state parks, and the Black River State Forest.

The burning restrictions do not apply to campfires in the designated park campgrounds. 

Campers are reminded to be careful with their campfires. Please remember to take the following safety precautions:

• Have some water near the fire for any embers that might escape the fire ring.
• Keep the fire size small.
• Attend the fire at all times while it is burning. Be sure the fire is entirely out before going to bed or leaving your campsite.

Campfire ban at four properties:
Starting at 12:01 a.m. (midnight) on Friday, July 13, 2012 the following rules apply at Big Foot Beach State Park, Lapham Peak, Richard Bong State Recreation Area, and the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest until further notice:

• All campfires are prohibited
• Outdoor smoking of a pipe, cigar, and cigarette is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle
• The use of candles and tiki torches is prohibited

Permitted uses:

• Gas stoves are allowed
• Charcoal cooking fires within metal fire ring in developed campgrounds are allowed
• Self-contained, portable charcoal grills and permanently mounted picnic grills are allowed.
• Ashes may only be disposed in a non-combustible container provided by the park. Please check at the office for the location of these sites.