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Weekly Blast!: This week we note the passing of former Chairman Alden Pedersen who died in Fond du Lac on Friday July 31st. Alden was the chairman for the Town of Grant from 1997-2002.  Our thanks are extended to Supervisor Scott Provost who secured a Wisconsin Department of Transportation Local Small Structures Improvement Program grant. The grant, for $22,500, will pay 90% of the $25,000 cost to replace a culvert on Griffith Avenue between County Highway F and 110th Street South. We are in the process of discontinuing a section of this road, but public access and safety must be retained through this process. Wisconsin DNR land abuts a portion of this road section and replacement of the culvert will maintain proper water flow through this area.  And thanks are also greatly extended to Clerk Stefanie Schlapa who compiled all the costs related to the severe snow and wind events in mid-March. She carefully documented the damages and recovery costs. Recently, the Wisconsin Disaster Fund (WDF) verified the cost of recovery totaling $14,095.44 of which the Town was sent $9,866.81 from the WDF. Treasurer Greg Hakala noted just today that this amount was automatically deposited in the Local Government Investment Pool to begin accruing interest through this valuable state program.  Have a great weekend. Stay cool, if possible, Sharon

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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.