MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin is coming into the home stretch of fire season, and the Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to stay vigilant as fire danger is high in northern counties, including Florence and Marinette.

Burning debris is the leading cause of Wisconsin’s wildfires. Forty percent of all wildfires in Wisconsin this year alone have been related to debris burning.

The DNR has responded to 556 wildfires burning more than 1,700 acres so far this season, plus many more suppressed by local fire departments and federal partners.