An 11-acre wildfire along the St. Croix River valley north of Grantsburg, along with a number of smaller fires, has prompted an upgrade in the fire danger rating for parts of Northwestern Wisconsin.
The fire danger has been increased from "high" to "very high" in Polk, Burnett and Washburn counties, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported Monday. That's one step from the top rating of "extreme." State wildfire-fighting crews are on full alert.
Douglas and Bayfield counties remain in the high category. The only fires allowed under the "high" and "very high" ratings are for cooking at campfire grates, though that practice also is discouraged by the DNR. All burning permits in the area have been canceled.
"Our main concern, with these high winds, is a fire starting any place in the heavily forested areas" where homes are, DNR Area Forestry Supervisor Steve Runstrom said in a news release.
