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Gov. Evers declares State of Emergency due to elevated wildfire conditions

Posted at 11:02 AM, Apr 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-21 12:02:45-04

Gov. Tony Evers is declaring a State of Emergency across Wisconsin due to current elevated wildfire conditions.

There have been over 150 wildfires in Wisconsin DNR protection areas so far this year. The most recent fire spread across 234 acres of land in Juneau County on Saturday.

“Our first priority is protecting the people of Wisconsin and this executive order helps us control existing wildfires and use all available state assets to prevent new ones from starting,” Gov. Evers said. “With the Wisconsin National Guard, we'll have the resources we need to appropriately assist in potential wildfire response and recovery efforts.”

Under the order, state agencies such as the Wisconsin National Guard will provide additional personnel and resources to wildfire prevention, emergency response and recovery operations.

The National Weather Service says weather conditions conductive to wildfires are possible, especially with gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry grasses.

Spring is critical fire season in Wisconsin.

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