Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
 MAP

Notice of Public Hearing: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PORTAGE COUNTY WELLHEAD PROTECTION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT   Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 5 of the County Annex, 1462 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, the Portage County Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a public hearing at which time and place all interested persons may appear and will be given an opportunity to be heard in support of or in opposition to T-2025-001. The proposal will amend the existing Portage County Wellhead Protection Ordinance text and make modifications to the Groundwater Protection District maps.   Materials and information related to this request will be available for viewing prior to the Hearing date online at www.co.portage.wi.gov by clicking on the agenda packet for the Planning and Zoning Committee meeting in the Agendas/Minutes Calendar. All interested persons are invited to attend said hearing and be heard, and accommodations have been made to do so remotely if you prefer. To attend this meeting by telephone dial 1-872-242-7813, after dialing the number you will then be asked to enter in a meeting number. Use the following meeting number: 595 131 207, then press #. To attend this meeting by video, go to www.co.portage.wi.gov and click on the link in the agenda for the Planning and Zoning Committee meeting in the Agendas/Minutes Calendar. If you are unable to attend the hearing, you may submit written comments on agenda items to the Planning and Zoning Department by mail at 1462 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, WI 54481, or by e-mail at (kunzet@co.portage.wi.gov). The deadline for sending comments in writing is 2 business days prior to the meeting. Comments will be delivered to supervisors and posted at least 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Wellhead Protection Ordinance Packet to Municipalities  

Posted on by webmaster

Special Fire Order Issued Due to Ongoing Drought

DNR Reinstates Burning Permits Beginning Oct. 15
In 13 Wisconsin Counties

 MADISON, Wis. – Due to prolonged drought conditions and potential for elevated fire danger, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will reinstate DNR burning permits by issuing a Special Fire Order in 13 Wisconsin counties. The permit reinstatement will begin at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in designated DNR protection areas until further notice. 

The permit reinstatement applies to the following 13 extensive DNR protection area counties outside incorporated cities and villages: all of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Waupaca, Waushara counties and portions of Oconto, Dane, Grant and Iowa counties.

A DNR annual burning permit is now required for burning in a barrel, a debris pile and grass or wooded areas as outlined by the permit, unless the ground is completely snow-covered. Before burning in these areas, anyone wishing to burn must obtain a DNR burn permit and then visit WisBURN for the current burn restrictions.

Traditionally, DNR burn permits are required in extensive protection areas from Jan. 1 through May 31, anytime the ground is not snow-covered. Reinstating permits allows the DNR to suspend burning on a given day during times of elevated fire danger.

A DNR burn permit is not required for campfires intended for cooking or warming, but the public is reminded to use extreme caution. Consider having small campfires in a designated fire ring or device in the evening hours to avoid burning under elevated fire conditions, which are typically found during the day.  

Current wildfire concerns are primarily due to the lack of precipitation across the entire state. Wisconsin has received record low rain in recent weeks, resulting in varying levels of moderate to severe drought. Wildfires that occur under these conditions can burn for great lengths of time and smolder underground for days and can be challenging to suppress. 

Dry conditions, coupled with the potential for increased fire danger in the fall due to dead leaves, pine needles and other dry vegetation on the ground, make debris burning especially risky. Debris burning continues to be the leading cause of wildfires in Wisconsin.   

The DNR intends to keep the permit requirements in place until the drought situation improves significantly, either due to long-term rain or snow events. The DNR will continue to evaluate as conditions change.  

Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on the DNR website.