8/06/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Northern Wisconsin is facing worsening drought, with Iron, Ashland, Vilas, Price, and Oneida counties now experiencing severe drought. Thanks to a shift in the jet stream north caused by an El Niño weather pattern that has begun much earlier than usual. Meteorologists say no widespread rain is expected soon, raising concerns about crop damage, dry pastures and increased wildfire risk. While fire danger is currently rated as moderate, experts warn it could increase if the dry pattern continues, though they don’t expect fires to reach the scale seen recently in Minnesota or Canada.