Burning permits are now required in the Department of Natural Resources forest fire protection areas. This includes the unincorporated areas in the following townships in Monroe County: Adrian, Angelo, Byron, Grant, Greenfield, Lafayette, LaGrange, Lincoln, Little Falls, New Lyme, Oakdale, Scott, and Tomah.

Permits are required anytime the ground is not completely snow covered. Free burning permits may be obtained from any local DNR Emergency Fire Warden or Tomah Ranger Station (phone 372-2811). Residents living outside the limits of DNR fire protection should check with their local government office for burning regulations.

Burning permits have changed this year. There will no longer be a separate permit for burn barrels or other outside burning. Every resident who intends to burn is required to obtain a written and signed burning permit for the year. This one written permit is valid for all of 2008. Before burning, the person must check the daily fire restrictions to make sure that their burning permit is valid in the county in which they intend to burn. The burning permit restrictions will be updated daily by 11 a.m. This information is available by calling a toll free phone number, 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876), or by checking the DNR website at dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fire.

Garbage, plastic, tires, asphalt shingles, and other rubber or oily substances cannot be burned under any circumstances. Permits have a specified time when burning is allowed (from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight) and there is no burning allowed on Sundays or holidays. Special burning permits will be issued from the Tomah Ranger Station for burning large piles (larger than 6 feet by 6 feet) or any broadcast burning of grasslands or agricultural fields.