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Regional News

Logging Work Started Massive Wildfire Submitted: 05/17/2013
MADISON - A logging operation triggered what became Wisconsin's biggest wildfire in 33 years.

Investigators say negligence was not involved in the blaze in Douglas and Bayfield counties.

A logger noticed smoke coming from equipment while harvesting timber Tuesday afternoon.

Efforts were made to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, while another member of the logging crew called 911.

The DNR got to the scene within 10 minutes.

The DNR says Douglas County prosecutors do not plan to file any criminal charges.

17 homes were destroyed and dozens of people had to evacuate before the fire contained Wednesday night.

No injuries have been reported from the fire, which burned more than 8,000 acres.

The fire started near Simms Lake in Douglas County, 40 miles southeast of Duluth, Minnesota.

(Copyright 2013 Associated Press - All Rights Reserved)


Story By: Associated Press

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Still No Sign of Deadly Bat Disease in Wisconsin Submitted: 05/17/2013

MADISON - Wisconsin remains free of a deadly bat disease.

Department of Natural Resources officials surveyed 73 Wisconsin locations where bats spend the winter.

They turned up no sign of white-nose syndrome.

The disease causes bats to wake up during hibernation and quickly deplete their energy stores.

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DNR lifts burn ban statewide Submitted: 05/17/2013

MADISON - The state Department of Natural Resources has lifted a statewide burning ban.

The DNR temporarily suspended all burning permits on Wednesday because low humidity, windy conditions and high temperatures had created conditions ripe for fires and dozens of fire departments were already committed to battling a massive wildfire in Douglas County.

DNR fire officials said they lifted the burning suspension early Friday morning. They say the Douglas County fire is now all but extinguished, firefighters have returned to their home jurisdictions and conditions have improved with low humidity and diminished winds.

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Gov. Walker surveys northwestern Wisconsin wildfire damage Submitted: 05/16/2013

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DOUGLAS COUNTY - We spent the last few nights taking in the sheer destruction a massive wildfire in Northwestern Wisconsin created.

Thursday, Governor Scott Walker got a first-hand look at the damage caused by a massive wildfire.

The governor and local officials toured the damaged areas in Douglas and Bayfield counties by helicopter.

The fire scorched some 9,000 acres and destroyed 47 buildings, including at least 17 homes.

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End to Night Hunt for Wolves Clears Committee Submitted: 05/16/2013

MADISON - Wolves might still be hunted, but they would be safe in the dark under a measure which cleared the Legislature's finance committee.

Governor Scott Walker's budget includes the provision that would ban night wolf hunting.

Wisconsin's wolf regulations currently allow night hunting but the language has proven controversial.

Wisconsin's Chippewa tribes have used it as justification for a tribal deer hunt at night.

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Committee Acts to Remove Limit State Treasurer's Duties Submitted: 05/16/2013

MADISON - The state treasuer may soon have little to do.

The Legislature's budget committee has voted to remove the last meaningful duty of the state treasurer.

Under the proposal, management of unclaimed funds would be transferred to the Department of Revenue.

The Joint Finance Committee voted 13-3 yesterday to make the change as current Treasurer Kurt Schuller watched from the audience.

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Activists Plan Training on How to Fight Mine Project Submitted: 05/16/2013

MADISON - Activists plan to train on how to stop a giant iron mine in northwestern Wisconsin.

A group of 80 to 90 activists will be gathering in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to learn ``peaceful resistance techniques.''

The training session is expected to begin Friday and end Monday.

An online agenda calls for sessions on blockades, climbing and protesters rights.

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Closer to Containing Northern Wisconsin Wildfires Submitted: 05/15/2013

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DOUGLAS, BAYFIELD COUNTIES - Wildfires destroyed at least 17 homes in northern Wisconsin.

But it looks like the fires might burn out soon.

More than 9,000 acres burned in eastern Douglas and western Bayfield counties in the northwest corner of the state.

The Wisconsin DNR reported the fires about 95% under control Wednesday night.

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