10/25/2026
Fire Press Release Narrative:
At 18:47 hours on October 24, 2026, the Sauk City Fire Department was dispatched along with Sauk Prairie Ambulance and the DNR to a property on Lehman Rd in the Township of Sumpter for a report of a male that was intentionally starting a fire in the woods.
When arriving on scene, crews observed a large section of fire on the property that was inaccessible by apparatus. Sauk Brush 7 crew started fire attack on the right flank while Sauk Engine 3 crew started on the left flank with water backpacks and hand tools.
Due to the size of the fire and limited access, Sauk Fire Command requested a MABAS Box alarm (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) activation for additional resources to the scene and to backfill our firehouse. As additional fire units started arriving on scene, more firefighters with water backpacks and tools were sent to extinguish the fire. Sauk Fire’s UTV, Plain Fire’s ATV, and the DNR’s heavy unit were also used to suppress the fire.
Around 20:15, the fire was considered knocked down. Firefighters and DNR rangers and wardens continued to check the area for hotspots and make sure all the fire was out until 21:41. All fire units returned to quarters at 22:05 hours. The cause of the fire is intentional, and the motive is currently under investigation. The suspect was located shortly after our arrival and was taken into custody by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department.
The Sauk City Fire Department was assisted by Sauk Prairie Ambulance, Merrimac Fire & Rescue, Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District, Plain Fire & EMS, Mazomanie Fire Department, Black Earth Fire Department, Middleton Fire District, DNR Spring Green Ranger, DNR Poynette Ranger, DNR Wisconsin Dells Ranger, DNR Conservation Warden, Sauk County Sheriff's Office, and the Sauk County Communications Center.
President McKenzie Pugh
