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​Cottonville Fire - Data Descriptions

Fire​ Origin


The origin location of the Cottonville Fire along South Chicago Court in the Township of Preston.

Fire Extent


Interactive Feature: Use the Time tool to view the progression of the Cottonville Fire.  The extent of area burned by the Cottonville Fire.  The official extent of the area burned is 3,410 acres.


Aerial Photo Documentation of Fire In-Progress


Interactive Feature: Click on this feature in the map to view photos.  Photographic documentation taken from aircraft while the Cottonville Fire was in-progress. 

 

Ground Photo Documentation of Fire In-Progress

Interactive Feature: Click on this feature in the map to view photos.  Photographic documentation taken from the ground while the Cottonville Fire was in-progress.

Parcels With Documentation of Fire Effects, Salvage Plans and Management Plans


Interactive Feature: Click on dark gray parcels to view documentation of fire effects, salvage plans and management plans.  Light gray parcels are within the fire perimeter, but contain no further documentation. Dark gray parcels are within the fire perimeter and contain further documentation with links to photos, salvage plans and management plans. 


Primary and Secondary Structures Within the Fire Perimeter


Primary structures arbitrarily defined as a livable structure, whether permanent or seasonal and secondary structures (e.g. garages, barns) that were contained within the fire perimeter.  Dark red boxes indicate destroyed structures, orange boxes indicate damaged structures and green boxes indicate survived structures. Parcel features contain interactive documentation of fire's impact on primary and secondary structures.



Structures Beyond the Fire Perimeter


The structures located outside, but within about five-miles of the final fire perimeter.  Features were clipped from the Adams County structural layer used by the WDNR and local emergency services.  

Incident Command Post - Big Flats Town and Fire Hall


The location of the Cottonville Incident Command Post (the Big Flats Town and Fire Hall) at the corner of County Highway C and 11th Avenue.

Fire Towers


The locations of the 11 fire towers in the WDNR Wisconsin Rapids Area, along with three adjacent towers to the near west.

Water Point


The primary water point for the fire that served units that could not conveniently return to the Big Flats Fire Department for refilling.

Drop Points


The locations of the drop points established around the fire.

Daytime Divi​sions


The final daytime division breaks established for the fire.  The division breaks first established on May 5 were in different locations, and eventually the breaks were moved to these final positions.

Nighttime Divisions


After the night of May 5-6, the number of divisions was reduced to just three during subsequent nighttime operations.  This layer shows the location of the adjusted nighttime division breaks.

Plow​ Lines


The extent of plowed firebreaks (as opposed to driveable breaks) established during the Cottonville Fire.

Driveable Breaks


The breaks around the fire that were eventually upgraded to driveable status.  It includes some pre-existing woods trails that were used for equipment accessibility.

Petroleum Pipeline


The petroleum pipeline that traverses the landscape affected by the Cottonville Fire.

Struc​tural Protection Zones


The structural protection zones that were activated for the Cottonville Fire.  






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