Chetek Fire and Rescue

05/16/2026

There’s a special place for people that do this. We hope whoever did this steps up and takes accountability, and if not, that you’re caught. Disgraceful to say the least.

To the person who broke Debra's bench last night, shame on you!

05/15/2026

⚠️ EXTREME FIRE DANGER ⚠️

This doesn’t happen often, and it’s very serious when it does. There is currently a red flag warning in our area for fire danger. No burning of any kind is allowed. Please be vigilant of signs of fire or smoke and if you see anyone burning brush or anything outside of a contained camp fire (which is highly discouraged), please report it.

We're asking the public to avoid outdoor burning activities, as fire danger has reached Critical levels across Northern and Western Wisconsin Thursday, May 14 through the evening of Saturday, May 16.

In conjunction with the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning is forecast for Friday, May 15 from noon to 9 p.m. in the following counties: Douglas, Bayfield, Washburn, Burnett, Sawyer, Ashland, Iron, Rusk, Barron, Polk and Vilas.

As of Thursday, May 14, DNR burning permits are suspended in 31 counties. Additional suspensions are possible with worsening conditions forecast heading into the weekend. Find updated information on DNR burning permit suspensions on the DNR's WisBurn tool: https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/ #/BurnRestrictions

Fire risk is increased by ongoing dry vegetation, low humidity, warming temperatures and gusty winds forecast heading into the weekend, with Very High fire danger anticipated in areas where vegetation has not fully greened up.

Wisconsin's fire season is currently at its annual peak, as pine trees in areas with sandy soils are extremely vulnerable to "crown fires," wherein flames move from the ground to the tree tops and spread with intensity. Recent rains have not minimized wildfire concerns, as grasses, pine needles and leaf litter can dry out in just a few days between precipitation events, creating hazardous conditions.

As elevated fire risks persist, the DNR will continue to suspend all DNR-issued burn permits for debris piles and broadcast burning until widespread rain occurs. The DNR has responded to nearly 500 wildfires thus far in 2026, with 45% of those caused by debris burning.

Embers from any recent fires, especially burn piles and campfires, can easily get out of control and cause a wildfire if not properly extinguished. Please avoid all burning in areas of concern, including warming or cooking fires, until conditions improve.

Outdoor enthusiasts should also be extra careful with off-road vehicles or equipment that can create a spark and start a fire. With dry weather conditions across much of the state, fires can spark at any time.
Follow these simple tips to prevent wildfires from getting out of control:

– Avoid outdoor burning, including campfires, until conditions improve.
– Operate equipment (chainsaws, off-road vehicles, lawnmowers, etc.) early in the morning or late in the day to avoid sparks at peak burn hours.
– Secure dragging trailer chains.
– Report fires early and call 911.

Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on our website at https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/ #/

05/14/2026

As we go into the weekend, even if we see a little rain, please be aware the fire danger is likely to remain dangerous unless we see a higher saturation of humidity and moisture.

We're asking the public to avoid outdoor burning activities, as fire danger has reached Critical levels across Northern and Western Wisconsin Thursday, May 14 through the evening of Saturday, May 16.

In conjunction with the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning is forecast for Friday, May 15 from noon to 9 p.m. in the following counties: Douglas, Bayfield, Washburn, Burnett, Sawyer, Ashland, Iron, Rusk, Barron, Polk and Vilas.

As of Thursday, May 14, DNR burning permits are suspended in 31 counties. Additional suspensions are possible with worsening conditions forecast heading into the weekend. Find updated information on DNR burning permit suspensions on the DNR's WisBurn tool: https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/ #/BurnRestrictions

Fire risk is increased by ongoing dry vegetation, low humidity, warming temperatures and gusty winds forecast heading into the weekend, with Very High fire danger anticipated in areas where vegetation has not fully greened up.

Wisconsin's fire season is currently at its annual peak, as pine trees in areas with sandy soils are extremely vulnerable to "crown fires," wherein flames move from the ground to the tree tops and spread with intensity. Recent rains have not minimized wildfire concerns, as grasses, pine needles and leaf litter can dry out in just a few days between precipitation events, creating hazardous conditions.

As elevated fire risks persist, the DNR will continue to suspend all DNR-issued burn permits for debris piles and broadcast burning until widespread rain occurs. The DNR has responded to nearly 500 wildfires thus far in 2026, with 45% of those caused by debris burning.

Embers from any recent fires, especially burn piles and campfires, can easily get out of control and cause a wildfire if not properly extinguished. Please avoid all burning in areas of concern, including warming or cooking fires, until conditions improve.

Outdoor enthusiasts should also be extra careful with off-road vehicles or equipment that can create a spark and start a fire. With dry weather conditions across much of the state, fires can spark at any time.
Follow these simple tips to prevent wildfires from getting out of control:

– Avoid outdoor burning, including campfires, until conditions improve.
– Operate equipment (chainsaws, off-road vehicles, lawnmowers, etc.) early in the morning or late in the day to avoid sparks at peak burn hours.
– Secure dragging trailer chains.
– Report fires early and call 911.

Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on our website at https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/ #/

05/10/2026

NOTICE:

If you’re in the area of Fish Lake on County D, there is an active dive operation and several emergency vehicles parked along the roadway. Please drive through with care.

05/06/2026

Community-Based CPR Class

Early CPR and AED use can double or triple survival rates. To help prepare our community, Barron County Emergency Management is hosting a Community CPR/AED class on Saturday, June 20, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The course will be held at the Barron County Justice Center, 1420 State Highway 25 North, Barron.

This hands-on, scenario-based course is designed for individuals, families, caregivers, parents, teachers, coaches, business owners, church groups, and community members who want to be prepared to act during a medical emergency. No prior training is required.

Participants will learn adult, child, and infant CPR, proper AED operation, and choking response. Training includes practical skill stations using manikins and AED trainers to build real-world confidence. Comfortable clothing is recommended, as this is an active participation course.

Enrollment is limited to 16 participants to ensure an optimal student-to-instructor ratio. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as registration will close once capacity is reached.

Taught by experienced instructors, this course emphasizes practical skills, confidence-building, and immediate response actions that can make a critical difference. Be prepared to protect your family, coworkers, and community when seconds matter.

To register, please visit: https://JuneCPR.eventbrite.com

05/04/2026

‼️ VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER REMAINS. ALL BURN PERMITS STILL SUSPENDED ‼️

Due to the low humidity, remaining dry vegetation, and very high wind gusts, there is a high risk for large fires throughout most of the state. Even after smaller amounts of rain, fuels dry up again very quickly in these conditions.

Please, no burning. Chetek Fire and the DNR are fully prepared should the need to respond arise, and the DNR will be happily handing out large fines if needed.

05/03/2026

‼️ FIRE DANGER IS VERY HIGH. ALL BURN PERMITS ARE SUSPENDED ‼️

Things have dried enough and the higher winds make for more volatile fire conditions.

04/30/2026

TRAILS OPEN TOMORROW!!!! More info here: https://www.barroncountywi.gov/trails
BE SAFE!!!! 😁

04/23/2026

Fire danger is very high again today, April 23, 2026, and burn permits have been suspended statewide where the DNR has fire protection responsibility.

Please avoid all burning until conditions improve.

Although the state received significant rainfall last week, the grasses and leaf litter on the ground dry out extremely quickly. Firefighters refer to this vegetation as "1-hour fuels" – in part, because they can dry out in about an hour after a rain event.

Fire can spready very quickly in 1-hour fuels with gusty winds and low relative humidity. In addition, northwest Wisconsin is still experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.

Check any recent burns for smoldering embers and make sure they are cold as fires have the potential to rekindle and escape today with increasing winds. Moderating conditions are expected tonight with rain moving in.

Stay up to date on fire conditions: https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/ #/

01/23/2026

It almost never fails that on the coldest day every year, we’re battling a structure fire. This time, we were assisting Cameron Area Fire District. The temps and wind present many challenges like equipment and lines freezing, and sometimes our gear as well. 🤷🏻‍♂️