Fire Prevention and Safety

On lands protected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, approximately 1,500 fires burn more than 5,000 acres annually. Most forest fires occur between March and June. April has the highest incidence. Over 90% of these fires are human-caused. These figures do not include areas of the state where the local fire department has primary responsibility for fire.

Wisconsin's fire control program is regarded nationally as a leader in initial attack fire fighting, in part due to the quality and effectiveness of the equipment designed, fabricated and serviced at the The LeMay Center in Tomahawk.

Human-caused fires in 2005. Click for expanded view.

Government does its best to prevent and fight forest fires, but YOUR help is also needed. Smokers, be sure your match is out, see that the ash is dead before discarding your smoke, and use the ashtray in your vehicle. Click on the topic below for more safety information and how you can prevent forest fires.

• Protect your home from wildfire!
• Debris Burning and Burn Barrels
• Ash Disposal, Wood Stoves, Campfires
• Equipment, Spark Arresters, Electrical Fences
• Fireworks

How much do you know about fire prevention? Take our quiz!

Get involved with our Take Smokey Camping Program!

Sixty Years of Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear first appeared in a poster in 1944, pouring a bucket of water on a campfire. In 1952, Congress passed the Smokey Bear Act taking him out of the public domain and placing him under the control of the Secretary of Agriculture. The Act provided for the use of collected royalties to help fund forest fire prevention and protect Smokey from exploitation. By 1970, Smokey has become one of the most recognizable symbols in America. In 1984 the US Postal Service issues a Smokey Bear Commemorative Stamp. Even now, we still have a lot of work to do. Each new generation must be reminded of their role in wildfire prevention. August 9th 2004 marks Smokey Bear's 60th birthday.

To learn more about Smokey and his 60 years of vigilance, please visit www.smokeybear.com (exit DNR).

"Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!"

Listen to some fire prevention public service announcements

1. Arson
2. ATV
3. Campfires
4. Equipment
5. Fireworks
6. Keeping Your Grass Green
7. Kids and Fire
8. Rural Homeowner
9. Smokey's Birthday Party
10. To Burn or Not to Burn
11. You Get The Bill