Waunakee Fire Department

09/30/2026

Raffle season at the fire station. Reach out to any Waunakee firefighter or call the fire station (608)849-5488 to get yours today.

09/12/2026

On the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, we want to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice on that day. On September 11th, 2001, 343 firefighters, 72 police officers, and 8 EMS providers lost their lives while saving others. Today we remember and honor their lives and all lives lost on 9/11.

09/07/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Structure Fire – 5700 Block of Tuscany Ln, Town of Westport

Westport, WI — September 7, 2026 — At approximately 5:25 a.m., the Waunakee Fire District was dispatched to an alarm call in the 5700 block of Tuscany Ln in the Town of Westport. While crews were enroute, the call was upgraded to a reported garage fire.
Car 2 was the first apparatus to arrive on scene and established command. Upon arrival, fire personnel reported crackling coming from inside the garage, along with smoke visible and confirmed an active fire. Command immediately requested additional resources through the MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) to bring additional firefighters and apparatus from surrounding fire departments to assist with the incident.
Firefighters located a contained fire within the garage and quickly began fire suppression operations. Crews achieved fire knockdown at approximately 5:48 a.m. Firefighters then remained on scene to extinguish any remaining hot spots, check for fire extension, and ensure the scene was safe. There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is determined to be electrical, and the extent of damage is currently undetermined.
Incident Summary
Incident: Structure Fire – Garage
Location: 5700 Block of Tuscany Ln, Town of Westport
Time Dispatched: 5:25 a.m.
Fire Knockdown: 5:48 a.m.
Water Used: Approximately 300 gallons
Injuries: None reported
Cause: Electrical
Damage Estimate: Undetermined at this time
Incident Cleared: Approximately 9:30 a.m.

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives
The Waunakee Fire District reminds residents that working smoke alarms provide critical early warning and save lives. Smoke and fire can spread rapidly, and early notification from a working smoke alarm can provide occupants with the additional time needed to safely escape.
Residents are encouraged to ensure smoke alarms are installed on every level of their home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. Smoke alarms should be tested regularly and replaced according to the manufacturer's recommendations, to ensure alarms work properly in the event of a fire.
Acknowledgements
The Waunakee Fire District extends its sincere gratitude to the agencies and utility partners who assisted with this incident. Their mutual-aid support and coordination were instrumental in providing the resources needed to safely and effectively manage the fire.
The Waunakee Fire District would like to thank the following partners for their assistance:
Dane County Sheriff's Office, Waunakee Police Department, Waunakee Area EMS, Madison Gas and Electric, Waunakee Utilities, Cross Plains Fire Department, DeForest Windsor Fire Department, Dane Fire Department,
Sun Prairie Fire Department, Dane County Communications Center
The Waunakee Fire Department appreciates the cooperation and support of our mutual-aid partners and the community as crews worked to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

Respectfully submitted,
Chief Josh McWilliams
Waunakee Fire District

07/29/2026

07/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Springfield, WI – July 19th, 2026, The Waunakee Area Fire District along with several mutual aid departments responded to a structure fire in the 6400 Block of State Highway 19 in the Town of Springfield. Due to the rural location and the absence of a municipal water system, the incident escalated to a third alarm for tenders to establish and maintain a continuous water shuttle operation.

Firefighters arrived to find a working fire involving a multi-tenant storage facility and immediately initiated suppression operations while establishing a water supply. As the incident progressed, additional mutual aid departments were requested to provide tenders, engines, and personnel. The coordinated tender shuttle operation ensured a continuous water supply and allowed crews to bring the fire under control despite the challenges associated with the rural location.

Firefighters remained on scene for several hours conducting fire suppression, overhaul, extinguishing remaining hot spots, and investigating the cause. The structure sustained significant fire damage.

At this time, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no determination regarding the origin has been made. Because the incident involved a multi-tenant storage facility, a damage estimate is not available at this time. Investigators are continuing to assess the scene and work with property representatives to determine the extent of the loss.

Incident Summary
Incident- Structure Fire
Location- 6400 Block of State Highway 19
Time Dispatched- 1:10 a.m.
Gallons of Water Used- 112,000 Gallons of Water
Injures- None
Cause- Under Investigation
Damage Estimate- Undetermined at this time
Incident Cleared- 1:10 p.m.

Acknowledgements
The Waunakee Fire District extends its sincere gratitude to the following partners for their assistance:

Dane County Sheriff's Office, Waunakee Police Department, Waunakee EMS, Madison Gas and Electric, Waunakee Utilities, Arlington Fire Department, Cross Plains Fire Department, Cross Plains EMS, Deforest Windsor Fire Department, Dane Fire Department, Fitchburg Fire Department, Lodi Fire Department, McFarland Fire Department, Middleton Fire Department, Middleton EMS, Sauk Prairie Fire Department, Sun Prairie Fire Department, Truax Fire Department, City of Madison Fire Department, Salvation Army, and Dane County Communication Center.

Respectfully submitted,
Chief Josh McWilliams
Waunakee Fire District

07/13/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Waunakee, WI – July 12th, 2026, The Waunakee Fire Department safely evacuated 18 homes Sunday evening after responding to a reported natural gas leak in the 600 block of Sixth Street. No injuries were reported, and residents were able to return to their homes after firefighters and Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) confirmed the area was safe.

The Waunakee Fire Department was dispatched at 9:18 p.m. Upon arrival, command staff confirmed an active natural gas leak and requested an immediate response from MG&E. Firefighters, working alongside the Waunakee Police Department, established a safety perimeter and began evacuating residents from the 600 block of Sixth Street and portions of Holiday Drive between Fifth and Seventh streets. The evacuation was completed by 9:40 p.m. Fire crews then conducted primary gas monitoring of the affected homes while awaiting the arrival of MG&E. Utility personnel arrived on scene at 9:41 p.m., were briefed by incident command, and confirmed the established isolation zone.

MG&E secured the gas supply at 10:44 p.m. Following the shutdown, Waunakee firefighters completed secondary gas monitoring of homes and nearby storm sewers to ensure there was no migrating natural gas remaining in the area. After consulting with MG&E and confirming the area was safe, residents were permitted to return to their homes. Reentry was completed by 11:00 p.m.

The scene was turned over to MG&E for repairs to the damaged gas line, and all Waunakee Fire Department units cleared the incident at 11:10 p.m.

Incident- Natural Gas Leak
Location- 600 block of Sixth Street, Waunakee
Time Dispatched- 9:18 p.m.
Homes Evacuated- 18
Injuries- None
Incident Cleared- 11:10 p.m.

The Waunakee Fire Department extends its sincere gratitude to the following partners for their assistance:
Waunakee Police Department
Waunakee Area EMS
Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E)

The department also thanks the affected residents for their cooperation and patience during the evacuation. Their prompt response to emergency personnel's instructions helped ensure the incident was resolved safely and without injury.

Respectfully submitted,
Chief Josh McWilliams
Waunakee Fire District

06/28/2026

Thank you to the Carr family for inviting us.

06/26/2026

Join our team and help the community! Job description and application are found on our website. www.waunakeefire.net

06/13/2026

Join our team! Applications are available on our website.

06/03/2026

Waunakee Firefighters recently participated in the Tunnel to Towers 5K. This event is a fundraiser for the organization, recognizing and remembering the first responders’ lives that were lost on 9/11.

Several departments paid tribute by completing the 5K wearing full turnout gear and air packs. Waunakee was recognized with a medal, for being the first department to finish the race in full firefighter gear.

Thank you to the Tunnel to Towers organization and all involved departments for this opportunity, and for the ongoing support of first responders - past and present.