Firefighters contain 26-acre wildfire in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Oconto County

Twenty-six acres of the Bear Paw Semi-Primitive Area of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, east of the town of Mountain, burned in a wildfire Tuesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The fire was both discovered and contained Tuesday, but Public Affairs Specialist Eric Britton said he didn't know how long crews fought to control the flames.

The Forest Service said the fire occurred between rocky outcrops, making it difficult to get a direct dozer line in. Instead, a decision was made to go indirect with the dozer and “burn out a clean control line.”

Britton said at least three units responded to the scene: the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the USDA-Forest Service and the Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. He said other local volunteers may have also assisted.

The Bear Paw Fire was transferred late Tuesday night from DNR management to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest - East Zone Fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service.

All of Oconto and Marinette counties are under very high danger warnings, due to dry conditions.

For northern Oconto County including the towns of Brazeau, Bagley, Breed or any townships to the north, due to fire weather conditions, burning is not allowed Wednesday.

"It is unusually dry right now," Britton said. "Normally, I don’t believe we have wildfires that often in this area. So for us a 26-acre fire is pretty substantial."

Contact Kevin Dittman at 920-431-8416 or kdittman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Firefighters contain 26-acre wildfire in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Oconto County