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Update: some state, local burning restrictions lifted

WALWORTH COUNTY — Update: The city of Delavan has lifted its burn ban.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials caution that the drought continues, even though some emergency burning restrictions are being lifted after recent rains. According to the fire restrictions page of its website, as of July 29, Walworth County forest fire danger remains moderate.

"Recent rains have lowered the fire risks enough in some areas to relax burning restrictions," said Trent Marty, chief of DNR's Bureau of Forest protection. "The rain has been spotty however and we will keep restrictions in place in the remaining areas until we can safely lift them."

Emergency burning restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Sat., July 28 in all or those parts of Dane, Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Richland and Sauk counties that are within DNR protection areas.

Emergency burning restrictions remain in place in all or parts of 11 counties, including: Adams, Columbia, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Waupaca and Waushara counties, and portions of Jackson, Juneau, Monroe and Wood counties.

Campfire bans are lifted at Big Foot Beach, Lapham Peak, Richard Bong State Recreation Area, the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, and the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

"There has been tremendous cooperation by the public during this period of high fire danger," said Marty. "Folks have really taken our messages to heart and we greatly appreciate their effort."

Locally, the city of Lake Geneva, towns of Darien and Geneva, and the village of Genoa City have lifted burning bans within the last few days, but encourage residents to use caution when kindling outdoor fires, and keep a source of water handy in case the fire gets out of control.

Check with your municipality or local fire department to see what’s allowed in your area.