Marathon County, Wisconsin
Partial restrictions apply in Marathon: burning is permitted only with a permit or within specific exceptions.
What this means
- Small cooking fires (grill, camp stove)
Penalties in Wisconsin
Burning without a required DNR permit, or burning in violation of a permit suspension, is punishable by a forfeiture under Wisconsin Statute § 26.12 — a civil penalty, not a criminal one. The exact current dollar amount could not be verified: the Wisconsin Legislature's own statute site (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov) was not reachable from this build environment, and no secondary source stated a current figure with confidence, so no number is shown rather than an invented one. Beyond any forfeiture, anyone whose fire escapes and causes a wildfire is separately liable for the cost of suppression and any property damage.
Classification: Forfeiture (civil, not criminal) under Wis. Stat. § 26.12 · Maximum fine: amount not published by the DNR or reachable primary source at time of writing — see penaltyNote
Recent status history
- Aug 14, 2026 — Partial Restrictions
- Aug 14, 2026 — Unconfirmed
- Aug 10, 2026 — Partial Restrictions
Sources & audit log
| Checked | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Wisconsin DNR — WisBURN daily burning restrictions ↗ | status: Partial Restrictions |
Neighbouring counties
Notify me when this changes
One email when Marathon county's status changes — nothing else. No newsletter, no marketing. One-click unsubscribe.
Still legal during a ban
None of these are a way around Marathon county's restriction — they're what stays legal regardless of it: contained burning, screened fire pits, and basic fire safety gear. Always confirm locally before burning anything.
Contained burn barrels
A lidded, spark-arrestor barrel keeps debris burning contained rather than as open burning — check your county's rules, since some bans cover any outdoor fire regardless of containment.
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Most burn bans target open debris burning, not a screened recreational fire pit — but always confirm locally, since some restrictions cover any outdoor flame.
Fire extinguishers
Always worth having on hand near any permitted fire, ban or no ban.
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by Wisconsin DNR — WisBURN daily burning restrictions and reports them unchanged. Cities and municipalities within Marathon county may impose stricter rules than the county order. Water districts and state forestry rules may add further restrictions. When an order is ambiguous or the source cannot be reached, we show Unconfirmed instead of guessing a status. The county's own posted order governs.
Common questions
Is Marathon county under a burn ban right now?
Partial restrictions apply. Wisconsin's statewide rule limits when and where you can burn today. See the "What this means" module above for the specifics.
What can I still burn in Marathon county?
Standard open burning is currently permitted, subject to any municipal ordinance in your area. Never leave a fire unattended, and keep water and a shovel nearby.
How do I report an illegal fire in Marathon county?
Call 911 for any fire that is out of control or threatens property. For a non-emergency burn-ban violation, you can also reach 1-888-WIS-BURN at 1-888-947-2876 (for today's burning permit status and restrictions, 7am-10pm daily; call 911 for an active wildfire emergency), or contact the Marathon Sheriff's Office.