Dry conditions cause high risk of wildland fires – 350 acres burn Sunday in Waushara County

Outdoor fire conditions continue to be high across southern Wisconsin due to a dry fall, and this became even more evident Sunday, November 16, 2025, after the hot exhaust from an atv started a 350 acre marsh fire in Waushara County.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. the fire started, which also engulfed the ATV that started it. The driver and another rider that was with him were able to escape the area on foot.

Initially the Redgranite fire department was dispatched, but after seeing the size of the fire, and how the wind was causing it to spread, a MABAS call went out to bring in units from multiple other departments with dozens of firefighters, including those from the DNR, responding to battle the blaze.

It took several hours to contain the fire which caused the temporary closure of Highways 49 and 21 in the area.

The fire was said to be contained by 6 p.m. but the last crews stayed until 7 to watch for any hot spots that could have reignited.

One outbuilding was also destroyed by the fire.

The Wisconsin DNR says that the wild land fire threat will remain high through much of the state which means wildfires ignite easily, spread rapidly and can be challenging to control.