As the snowpack retreats, Northwoods property owners shift from moving snow to managing the debris left behind. This transition marks the return of the burning permit, a legal requirement that becomes active the moment the ground is no longer completely covered by snow.

With the recent appointment of staff at Woodruff Ace Hardware as Emergency Fire Wardens (EFWs), residents now have multiple ways to stay compliant while cleaning up their parcels.

How to Secure Your Permit

You have two primary options for obtaining your free annual burning permit. Both are valid for the entire calendar year, but they offer different advantages depending on your needs.

1. The Digital Option: DNR Online

For most residents, the online portal is the most efficient route. You can complete the application in minutes and have the permit emailed to your smartphone instantly.

• Access the Portal: DNR Burning Permit Application

• Why choose this: It’s fast, paperless, and allows you to keep a digital copy on your phone for easy access if a warden or official visits your property.

2. The In-Person Option: Emergency Fire Wardens

An EFW is a local business—like Woodruff Ace Hardware—authorized by the state to issue handwritten permits.

• When to go in person: * Technical Advice: If you are clearing a complex area or are unsure about setbacks from structures, the staff at Ace can provide localized context that a website cannot.

  • Unreliable Connectivity: If you are working on a remote parcel without cellular service, a physical paper permit is the only way to ensure you are compliant.

  • Local Context: Visiting an EFW allows you to check the "local pulse"—small nuances in wind or humidity that broader county-wide ratings might miss.

The "Know Before You Burn" Rule

Having a permit in your pocket is only half the battle. Every day you plan to burn, you are legally required to check the Daily Burning Restrictions map after 9:00 AM.

• Check the Map: WisBURN Daily Restrictions Map

• Phone Alternative: If you don't have internet access, call 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876) and enter your county code.

The map will tell you if your specific township is Green (low risk), Yellow (restricted hours), or Red (no burning allowed). During the "brown" period before spring green-up, conditions change fast; a "Green" morning can easily become a "Red" afternoon.

Critical Safety Standards

A permit provides legal cover, but proper technique protects the landscape.

• The Sunset Rule: Burning is generally restricted to the evening hours (usually after 6:00 PM) when humidity rises and winds stabilize.

• Clear the Perimeter: Scrape away all needles and grass down to bare mineral soil for at least ten feet around your pile.

• Water on Standby: Never light a pile without a charged hose or a dedicated water source. In the Northwoods, fire can move into the crown of a pine tree faster than you can react.

• Approved Materials: Only burn brush, needles, leaves, and untreated wood. Burning household trash or plastics is illegal and introduces toxins into the local water table.

Whether you stop into Ace or download your permit online, the goal is the same: responsible stewardship of the timber that defines our home.