Wis. DNR Confirms Logging Started Wildfire
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say logging operations started a massive wildfire in northwestern Wisconsin that destroyed more than a dozen homes.
The state Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday that law enforcement officials confirmed logging equipment started the fire.
The fire began Tuesday afternoon. It destroyed 17 homes and forced dozens of people to evacuate as the blaze burned across 9,000 acres. But no injuries have been reported.
The blaze began Tuesday afternoon near Simms Lake in Douglas County, 40 miles southeast of Duluth, Minn. Authorities say firefighters had the fire contained by late Wednesday evening.
The DNR made the announcement on its official Twitter feed. An agency spokesman declined immediate comment.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)