Oct. 9, 2013
Courtesy of the News-Review and The Three Lakes News
Page 49
Forest Service battles fires locally, nationally
Prescribed burns used for habitat restoration
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BY HEATHER MARTENS
EAGLE RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
USDA FOREST SERVICE
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Fire activity on the ChequamegonNicolet National Forest was down
slightly for 2013, as there were 14 fires
on the forest as of September, down
from the past three years.
A cool, wet spring contributed to low
fire dangers statewide this year, resulting in minimal spring fire activity.
Fire danger remained low throughout
most of the summer.
Fire danger levels did elevate
slightly in August when warmer temperatures and a dry period settled in
for part of the month. Heavy rains during the last week of August brought relief to northern Wisconsin.
Outlooks from the National Weather Service predict normal temperature
and precipitation patterns throughout
the fall, which should help keep fire
dangers low throughout the fall
months.
Nationally, the western portion of
the United States was the focus of concern for fire danger this year. Many
states across the West experienced extreme fire dangers.
As of September, fires had burned 4
million acres nationally. This numb