MONROE - Billowing smoke that can be seen for miles is common in the spring as people burn off large fields or yards to make their lawn green up more quickly.
Green County doesn't have any ordinances that prohibit the practice unless there is a burning ban due to dry conditions.
According to the Green County ordinance, burning bans are issued by the Green County Sheriff's Department at the direction of the Green County Fire Chiefs Association.
Green County Sheriff Randy Roderick said anyone who plans to have a controlled burn should contact the sheriff's department. Doing so can help avoid a response from a local fire department.
"There have been instances where people didn't call and the fire department was called in by a passing motorist," Roderick said.
Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said the Monroe Fire Department bills the township where the fire takes place $1,000 a hour if they are called. That cost usually is billed back to the property owner.
Roderick said if smoke from a controlled burn crosses the road, deputies could be called. He couldn't remember the last time his department responded to such a complaint.
If a deputy is called, one option available is to talk to the property owner to resolve the problem. If that doesn't work, the deputy could call the local fire department to request firefighters to put out the fire.
While the county doesn't have regulations about controlled burns, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources does, DNR unit manager Steve Johnston said.
Johnston said there are regulations that prohibit people from burning textiles and rubber. Fires that smolder also are banned by the DNR, he added.
Fines for people who burn textiles and rubber can be steep. The fines can reach up to $10,000.
Brush or weeds, fires on agricultural land and controlled fires for training are acceptable, Johnston said.
Green County doesn't have any ordinances that prohibit the practice unless there is a burning ban due to dry conditions.
According to the Green County ordinance, burning bans are issued by the Green County Sheriff's Department at the direction of the Green County Fire Chiefs Association.
Green County Sheriff Randy Roderick said anyone who plans to have a controlled burn should contact the sheriff's department. Doing so can help avoid a response from a local fire department.
"There have been instances where people didn't call and the fire department was called in by a passing motorist," Roderick said.
Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said the Monroe Fire Department bills the township where the fire takes place $1,000 a hour if they are called. That cost usually is billed back to the property owner.
Roderick said if smoke from a controlled burn crosses the road, deputies could be called. He couldn't remember the last time his department responded to such a complaint.
If a deputy is called, one option available is to talk to the property owner to resolve the problem. If that doesn't work, the deputy could call the local fire department to request firefighters to put out the fire.
While the county doesn't have regulations about controlled burns, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources does, DNR unit manager Steve Johnston said.
Johnston said there are regulations that prohibit people from burning textiles and rubber. Fires that smolder also are banned by the DNR, he added.
Fines for people who burn textiles and rubber can be steep. The fines can reach up to $10,000.
Brush or weeds, fires on agricultural land and controlled fires for training are acceptable, Johnston said.