DNR holds Pallet Fire Media Briefing

Amy Penn Amy Penn, Public Information Officer, Wisconsin DNR, conducted the Pallet Fire Media Briefing on July 11th at the Coloma Community Center. Penn said that to date the wildfire destroyed 833 acres, 3 primary, and 17 secondary buildings. One hundred properties were evacuated and everyone was able to go back to their properties about 8 p.m. on July 10th. As of press time 60 were still evacuated. The fire is within 13 miles of roads and those roads are closed to through traffic for the protection of the firefighters that remain on the scene and the utility companies. Eight firefighters were treated for medical issues including heat and exposure, one was transported and released and the others treated at the scene. Chris Semann Chris Semann, Operations Section Chief, Wisconsin DNR, said they received a call about 1 p.m. of a fire on 6th and Cumberland Ave. He said the fire grew quickly because of the pine, oak, dry conditions and wind. Numerous structures on Cumberland Ave. were lost. He also said there were small fires ahead of the large fire and the fire jumped the road on 7th and State Rd. 21. He said the DNR had numerous dozers as well as help from the Wisconsin Operating Engineers 139 that responded to slow the progress of the fire. Between 8 and 9 p.m. on July 10th they had established a mineral soil break around the fire. Semann said that several fire departments and DNR spent the night working the scene. Currently they are working to save structures from spot fires. He added the DNR was assisted by 30 fire departments, Waushara County law enforcement, and the State Patrol. He stressed that non-residents should stay out of the area. Al Luchini Al Luchini, Waushara County Emergency Management Director, said the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office and the State Patrol helped with evacuations. The Coloma Community Center house those evacuated until they could return to their residence. There were numerous power outages and they are being addressed as well as animal assistance. The Waushara County Department of Human Service and Public Health were on hand at the Center lend assistance. Aaron Young Aaron Young, Deputy Incident Commander, Wisconsin DNR, said the fire behavior had dry conditions, the vegetation was dry, and the wind was a factor in how fast the fire spread. He said they are working to keep the fire contained in the footprint as there is little or no rain predicted in the near future for the area. He advised to refrain from burning, even though there are no permits required, the danger for burning is high. Bruce Henderson Bruce Henderson, Incident Commander, Wisconsin DNR, said that the cause of the fire has been determined as debris burning. It was a fire that was ignited prior to July 10th. He said anyone burning should make sure the fire is cold to the touch, because the person with the fire is liable for damage. He said that there is forest fire protection from Jan. 1 to the end of May and burning permits were not required. He said the DNR and fire department members will remain on the scene for several days doing mop up.