Emergency burn ban in effect in Holmen, Onalaska

An emergency burning ban has been put in effect for the Onalaska and Holmen areas, at least through the rest of the holiday weekend.

The fire chiefs of both Holmen and Onalaska announced on Sunday that the Wisconsin DNR declared the level of fire danger to be extreme in La Crosse County, because of very hot weather and dry conditions.

The ban includes campfires, burn barrels, burn piles, and the use of fireworks, and it is expected to be in place possibly through Tuesday evening, if not longer. Charcoal grilling will be allowed only on a non-combustible surface.

The communities affected by the ban are the city and town of Onalaska, the village of Holmen, and the town of Holland.

Chief Pete Fletty of Onalaska and Chief Ryan Ostreng of Holmen announced the ban in a joint news release.