Dane County is not designated as a high wildfire hazard zone; Wisconsin regulates wildfire primarily through DNR burning permits under Wis. Stat. §26.12 and §26.14, with no defensible-space ordinance in Madison or unincorporated Dane County.
Unlike western US states, Wisconsin does not map Wildland-Urban Interface hazard zones in south-central counties, and Dane County is classified as a low wildfire risk area by the Wisconsin DNR Forest Protection Division. Wildfire prevention is instead addressed through Wis. Stat. §26.12 (forest protection areas) and §26.14, which require DNR burning permits during the protected season (generally Jan 1 - May 31 and whenever snow cover is absent) for debris burning on or within protected lands. The DNR issues annual daily burn restrictions at dnr.wi.gov based on drought conditions. Inside the City of Madison, MGO §34.702 prohibits open burning except for small recreational fires, effectively eliminating wildfire ignition sources. Unincorporated Dane County towns defer to DNR permits and Dane County Code Ch. 18 (Fire Prevention). No defensible-space clearance, fire-resistant roofing, or ember-vent requirements exist locally. Property owners in rural Dane County with wooded acreage are encouraged (not required) to follow DNR Firewise guidelines. During declared drought emergencies, the DNR may suspend all burn permits county-wide.
Burning without a DNR permit during the protected season: forfeitures up to $1,000 under Wis. Stat. §26.20 plus liability for suppression costs. Madison open-burning violations: $100-$500 under MGO §34.702. Starting a wildfire through negligence: restitution for all suppression costs under §26.21.
Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
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Dane County, WI
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See how Dane County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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