Climate change, urban sprawl add fuel to Wisconsin’s wildfire season

Wisconsin experienced an unprecedented number of wildfires in the months of January and February. The typical fire season for the state occurs in March, April and May, but climate conditions have extended this season out into winter months.

The record-breaking number of fires in winter alone signifies the influence of a warming climate, according to WPR. As of Monday, April 22, the state has experienced 545 wildfires, resulting in more than 2,000 acres burned, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This number is about double the amount of fires the state sees in a typical year, Wisconsin DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele said.

Despite experiencing cold temperatures throughout February, Wisconsin received below-average precipitation rates, according to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. A stunt in snowfall and overall warmer air temperatures set the stage for an extremely dry spring season, according to a Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts report. With no snow in winter, vegetation dries out faster, effectively increasing the state’s vulnerability to wildfires.

“It’s kind of a misconception that fires mainly occur in the summer when it’s hot, actually we have a great humidity that keeps a lot of our fires at bay,” Koele said. “But, this year was a little different. We had snow-free conditions statewide … so we had a lot of fire currents across the state.”

Alongside the Wisconsin DNR, University of Wisconsin professor of geography Qunying Huang uses a tool called GeoAI to address wildfires. GeoAI is an artificial intelligence software that helps experts assess environmental impacts and operational impacts through geospatial data, according to Esri. Huang utilizes GeoAI, Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite data, climate data sets and more in order to assess and react to wildfires in Wisconsin.

A combination of all of this data is useful in determining where the fires are and where they will spread depending on wind — including speed and direction, types and dryness of surrounding brush and weather patterns, Huang said. Environmental data along with the satellites’ ability to send images of landscapes to Huang’s team in about five minutes makes it extremely accessible to monitor fires.

“So, we interpret all those data stats all together to not only detect but also predict where the fire location [will be] in the short future,” Huang said. “My system helps assess how to control fires with minimal population loss and economic impact.”

Through her research, Huang is able to predict high fire risk areas. She then reports her findings to the Wisconsin DNR in hopes that they are able to do some repression and remove flammable material in the surrounding areas. In the long-term, Huang said that by identifying hazardous fire zones, urban planners and policymakers may better prepare for fires.

Ultimately, this system aids in the protection of property and the ecosystem, which is critical considering there has been an increase in urban sprawl. People are living closer to the forest and building into wildland areas. People cause 98% of fires, and they usually happen around homes, which are now on the edge of dry forests, Koele said. As a result, property and structures are the first to burn putting families, homes and wildlife at risk. This year’s fires have burned 26 structures and caused more than $300,000 worth of damage, according to the Wisconsin DNR.

While permits are required for all prescribed burning done, they may still cause damage if handled incorrectly. Koele said there have been 20 fires this year in Wisconsin as a result of prescribed burns done without proper tools, unideal weather conditions and other factors outside the control of those responsible controlled burns.

“In the spring it’s all hands on deck,” Koele said. “We staff seven days a week. Unfortunately, fires don’t just occur Monday through Friday nine-to-five, so we have to be ready pretty much 24 hours a day.”

With anticipation of a busy fire season ahead, Koele stressed the importance of education and enforcement. Fines resulting from damage and suppression are often a good deterrent, she said.

To prepare, one should review safety plans, insurance policies and have conversations with loved ones and friends, Koele said. Fire conditions can change daily and geographically. If unaddressed, the rapid changing nature of fires poses threats to human health, especially as they become more frequent, Koele said. When the jet stream, a strong band of wind that flows East to West, pushes smoke over Wisconsin, people inhale it, which could be compromising to sensitive groups like those with asthma.

“I think natural disasters are here to stay … I think it is really important to be prepared in any capacity,” Koele said.