Campfires allowed again in state forest southern unit

Emphasizing that the drought is not over, state fire control officials at the Department of Natural Resources will lift campfire bans at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 28 in the following state parks properties: Big Foot Beach, Lapham Peak, Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, according to a news release from the DNR.

A revised emergency burn restriction map will be posted at 12:01 a.m. July 28 here search for the keywords “fire danger.”

“Recent rains have lowered the fire risks enough in some areas to relax burning restrictions,” said Trent Marty, chief of DNR’s Bureau of Forest Protection. “The rain has been spotty however and we will keep restrictions in place in the remaining areas until we can safely lift them.”

“There has been tremendous cooperation by the public during this period of high fire danger,” added Marty, “folks have really taken our messages to heart and we greatly appreciate their effort.”

“We are happy to be able to allow campfires in all state park properties again,” said Kimberly Currie, acting director of Wisconsin State Parks and Trails. “Sitting around the campfire with family and friends is a special part of a state park experience visit but visitor safety is our top priority.”