Southern Door Fire Chief Rich Olson says you have to remain vigilant when protecting yourself and your property from possible fires despite the improving conditions.
Recent rains have allowed much of the state to dip into the moderate level of fire danger with 15 northwestern Wisconsin counties in the low level. It was still dry enough on Thursday when a riding lawnmower burst into the flames. Members of the Southern Door Fire Department responded to the fire on Maplewood Road in Forestville after 7:20 p.m. The mower was fully engulfed when they arrived and it was considered a complete loss after firefighters used approximately 250 gallons of water to put it out.
While the exact cause of the fire is unknown at the time, Olson says it is a nice reminder to keep an eye out for dry grass clippings and make sure you clean your lawn equipment after you use it.
Olson was thankful the lawnmower was away from the home as the incident reminded him of a similar event where a home was destroyed after a lawnmower caught fire in the garage.
