Local News
Massive Wildfire In Waushara County Draws Dozens Of Fire Departments. Possibly Several Homes Destroyed
***Submitted Photo by Trace Frost***
Reports are coming in of a 5 alarm fire near the Village of Coloma in Waushara County Today, Monday, July 10, 2023.
A report from a resident in the area says several homes may have already been lost to the fire and many more have been evacuated.
A DNR fire map shows over 70 acres have been burned with the fire still spreading. A 6:30 update from Coloma Fire Department says the fire has burned 500 acres and still growing.
High winds and low humidity is being reported in the area.
At 6:10 PM, five Fond du Lac County Departments have been called to assist. Waupun, Campbellsport, Eden, Ripon and City of Fond du Lac. City of Fond du Lac has taken a pass on the assistance which is not out of the ordinary for a department to do.
Brownsville has also been called to assist from Dodge County.
This is from a statement from the Wisconsin DNR…
The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation.
DNR fire suppression resources are on the scene, including 13 DNR engines, 10 heavy units (dozers with engines) and 1 air attack plane. Several local fire departments are also assisting with suppression efforts and providing structure protection. A Wisconsin Operating Engineers training facility nearby has also provided several resources to assist with suppression efforts.
The Northeast District Incident Management Team has been activated, and the command post has been set up at the Coloma Fire Department. Waushara County emergency management, along with local law enforcement agencies and several other fire departments, are also on scene.
KFIZ will have more info as it becomes available.