PICKETT, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) –Firefighters from multiple departments spent days putting out a marsh fire that scorched over 200 acres in Winnebago County.
It all started just before 2 p.m. on Sunday when the Utica Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a marsh fire on Mountain Road in the town of Pickett.
Upon arrival crews encountered approximately 10 acres of cattails on fire in 20 mph winds.
Other fire departments, as well as firefighting resources from the DNR, were called.
In a Facebook post, the Utica Volunteer Fire Department wrote:
This fire was no joke, we had firefighters almost overrun by walls of flames. Ultimately the fire unofficially went to the 5th Alarm and beyond. Crews from around Winnebago County and surrounding counties responded with apparatus and manpower to control the fire.
Around 6 p.m., the fire was out and mop up operations began. The scene was cleared around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
The next morning crews from multiple fire departments went back to the scene to continue fire suppression. Significant heat up to 700 degrees was found on the surface of the ground.
Crews worked throughout the day to combat the peat fire.
While working on this fire, crews were called to a cornfield fire on Ripple Avenue due to a combine mechanical failure. The high winds pushed the tall flames through the standing cornfield but the firefighters and farmers were able to contain it to the field just before it made it into the fence line and continued towards the Ethanol Plant. Additional crews were called in to douse the fire which helped a lot. Crews worked 15 hours this day.
On Tuesday, crews worked for 12 hours before returning to the station to clean equipment again for a couple hours and get ready for the next day.
On Wednesday, crews focused on the north line for a few hours as it had fire burning in areas that hadn’t been burning for two days. Although the fire is mostly out, the peat fire can burn at and underneath the surface for months.
Crews have returned every day since the beginning to make sure the perimeter is contained so the fire doesn’t spread.
Officials estimate 200 acres have been burned along with hundreds of pine trees.
The cause is believed to be possible mechanical failure of an ATV.
The following departments helped with the fire: Town of Algoma, Alto, Berlin, Boom Bay, Brandon/Fairwater, City of Oshkosh Fire Department Ambulance and a Chief, Clayton, DNR, Eldorado, Grand River (Markesan), Green Lake, Lamartine, MABAS WI, Nekimi, Omro, Outagamie County CERT (attached to their Emergency Management), Poy Sippi, Redgranite, Ripon, Rosendale, Saxville, Town of Neenah, Town of Oshkosh, Utica Fire, Utica First Responders, Van Dyne, Vinland, West Bloomfield, Winchester, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Winneconne.
Multiple donations were made while crews were scene:
- Ripon Truck Repair- Fire Suppression Water Supply
- Ripon Truck Repair- 200 cheeseburgers from McDonald’s- Day 1
- Hardee’s- 35 meals Day 2
- Community members: Food and Drinks
- Winnebago Liquid Waste: Port-a-potty
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