Emergency burn restrictions

GREEN LAKE - The dusty, dry conditions have authorities asking people to stop burning. Outagamie County issued a no-burn advisory Friday. And the DNR placed burning restrictions on 11 counties.

• Story: Outagamie Co. issues no-burn advisory

The ban took effect Friday at 12:01 a.m.

• Story: DNR bans burning in 11 counties

At the Hattie Sherwood Campground in Green Lake, Ron Vuca and Kyle Singleton will be cooking over a fire ring all week long.

“You can get some coals down there, and once you get a good base, then you can have a smaller fire,” said Vuca.

However, Green Lake County is just one of the areas covered under the DNR's new burn restrictions.

The announcement means people shouldn't set off fireworks. They also shouldn't burn brush piles or use burn barrels.

Campfires need to be inside developed camping areas with a fire ring.

The ban includes outdoor disposal of ashes, charcoal briquettes, matches or any burning material.

Even outdoor smoking is banned.

Wautoma DNR rangers have responded to three fires this week.

“The purpose of the ban is to limit damage to people and property. We don't want to see houses burned, because people are being careless. So it's just to protect folks,” said Marcia Frost Vahradian, DNR forester/ranger.

At the Legion brat fry in Princeton.

“It's been real bad, close to 90 everyday,” said Bud Gende.

Gende says Saturday's fireworks may be in jeopardy.

“I heard that they started to cancel a couple of them. I haven't heard anything here in town. Hopefully there will be a little rain tonight,” said Gende.

The Princeton police chief tells FOX 11 at this point, the fireworks show will go on. But the fire department will have extra personnel on hand.

And as the Hattie Sherwood Campground fills up for the holiday weekend, campers say they will be taking precautions.

“Dirt. That's our main control system. It's just dirt and a couple of shovels nearby. If it gets out of hand. Throw some dirt on it,” said camper Kyle Singleton.

Rangers say they are watching the weather, and could broaden the ban to other counties as well. Until then, they have some advice.

“Don't burn. There's no reason to burn. Just wait until we some rain,” said Frost Vahradian.