Large Wildfire in NW Wisconsin 90 Percent Contained after Burning 8,700 Acres

Wisconsin officials now say a wildfire in the northwestern part of their state that destroyed nearly 50 buildings and forces upwards of 60 people to evacuate their homes is about 90 percent contained.

The smoky fire, reportedly one of the largest blazes in the state's history, had burned through an estimated 8,700 acres in Douglas and Bayfield, Kevin Harter, a spokesman with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, told reporters Wednesday morning.

No injuries had been reported Wednesday morning as firefighters entered their second day battling the largest forest fire to hit northern Wisconsin in 33 years, according to a report by United Press International.

"With wind out of the northwest, our concern has been the southern and eastern flanks of the fire," said DNR incident commander Larry Gladowski. "We should have control shortly. Now with hot, dry and windy conditions forecast for today, we are asking people to be extremely careful so no more destructive fires are started."

Of the estimated 60 people evacuated overnight, 22 of them stayed at a high school in Drummond, 60 miles southeast of Duluth, Minn., the DNR said.

Forty-seven structures were burned down, including 17 homes, but firefighters were able to save 77 other buildings, Harter said, adding that "even though we lost some structures, there were no injuries and people were cared for."

DNR officials said the wildfire was first reported Tuesday near the Town of Barnes. Conservation wardens went door-to-door to alert area homeowners of the fire and residents evacuated lake homes and cabins in the area Tuesday night, the Associated Press reported.

A fire command post and shelter were established in Barnes Tuesday evening, but had to be moved as the fire grew.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation closed state Highway 27 after the fire hopped over a portion of it northwest of Barnes Tuesday. The highway has since been reopened.

Harter indicated two Black Hawk helicopters from the Wisconsin Army National Guard and two "waterbombers," fixed-wing aircraft from Canada, will provide the firefight with aerial support, while responding crews from 19 fire departments --- including 52 fire trucks --- are in the field, he said.