Outdoor fire risk high, though relief in sight with approaching weather systems

With the lack snow cover melting, and not much for rain falling in the area this last week, the Wisconsin DNR has placed the area in an elevated outdoor fire hazard risk.

As of Sunday, March 29, 2026, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Green Lake and Calumet Counties are in a high risk for fires. A level three out of five on the department’s fire risk chart.

Dodge and Washington Counties, as well as the entire southern 1/4 of Wisconsin are at very high risk. A level four risk on the same chart.

The department uses a combination of dryness of the ground, fuel available, as well as wind and relative humidity values for an area, to determine the fire hazard risk.

While the humidity values will be fairly high over the area the next couple days, the dead and dormant vegetation from the winter months will pose a risk of fires getting out of hand.

Conditions are expected to improve after widespread precipitation moves through the area Tuesday, Wednesday night and Thursday.