Taylor County Emergency Management

03/18/2026

🎉🐾 Help Us Celebrate a Very Special Birthday TODAY! 🐾🎉
Let's celebrating a true fire safety hero — Sparky the Fire Dog turns 75 years old! 🔥
For 75 years, Sparky has been helping teach kids, families, and communities about fire safety, smoke alarms, and how to stay safe during emergencies. His message has helped save countless lives and inspired generations to learn about fire prevention.
Let’s give Sparky a big birthday shout-out! 🎂🐶
You can celebrate by:
✅ Testing your smoke alarms
✅ Practicing your home fire escape plan
✅ Talking with your family about fire safety
Drop a comments to wish Sparky a Happy 75th Birthday!

03/18/2026

📚✨ Story Time with Sparky the Fire Dog! ✨📚

It’s time to gather ’round — we’ve got a special story just for you! 🎥🐶
Join us in watching this awesome fire safety adventure with Sparky the Fire Dog 🧑‍🚒🔥

👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/R9af4E1I37c?si=leuQdjgSX0K0mV9d

This story teaches important tips about staying safe and being smart in case of fire — perfect for kids, families, and fire safety fans of all ages!

🧯👨‍🚒 After you watch, talk about what you learned:
• What did Sparky teach about smoke alarms?
• How can your family make a fire escape plan?
• What’s one fire safety rule you’ll remember?

🎉🐾 Let us know your favorite part in the comments!

Share the story of Sparky the Fire Dog® with your students in this classroom storytime. This read-aloud will help teach your students about fire safety. Get ...

03/17/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend....

🚗 Drive One for Your Community! 🚒
Come out to the Medford Home & Garden Show on Saturday March 21!

Test drive a vehicles, and support our local firefighters, and have Medford Motors donate $30 per test drive that can go directly to any Taylor County Fire Department of your choice.

A huge thank you to Medford Motors for sponsoring this event and supporting your local fire departments! 🙌

03/16/2026

*** Event Out Dated ****
.WINTER STORM WINDING DOWN... .Conditions will slowly improve through the morning as the winter storm moves off to the east.
..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT TODAY...

* WHAT...Drifting snow owing to winds gusting as high as 35 mph and
ongoing impacts from the overnight snow.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Iowa, southeast
Minnesota, and central, north central, southwest, and west central
Wisconsin.

* WHEN...Until noon CDT today.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. In Iowa, visit 511ia.org
for road conditions. In Minnesota, visit 511mn.org for road
conditions. In Wisconsin, visit 511wi.gov for road conditions.

03/16/2026

🎉🐶 Help Kids Celebrate Sparky’s 75th Birthday! 🚒🎂

Parents, teachers, and educators — you can help celebrate Sparky the Fire Dog’s 75th Birthday while teaching an important lesson about fire safety!

Download a Sparky birthday coloring page, gather the crayons, and take a few minutes to talk with kids about simple ways to stay safe from fire.

While coloring, ask kids questions like:
🔥 Do you know what a smoke alarm sounds like?
🏠 What should you do if there is a fire in your home?
🚪 Where is your family’s safe meeting place outside?

It’s a fun activity that also helps kids learn lifesaving fire safety habits!

🎨 Download the coloring page, print it, and share your finished artwork with us — we’d love to see it!

03/16/2026

🎉🐾 Help Us Celebrate a Very Special Birthday! 🐾🎉

This Wednesday we’re celebrating a true fire safety hero — Sparky the Fire Dog turns 75 years old! 🚒🔥

For 75 years, Sparky has been helping teach kids, families, and communities about fire safety, smoke alarms, and how to stay safe during emergencies. His message has helped save countless lives and inspired generations to learn about fire prevention.

Let’s give Sparky a big birthday shout-out! 🎂🐶

You can celebrate by:
✅ Testing your smoke alarms
✅ Practicing your home fire escape plan
✅ Talking with your family about fire safety

Drop a comments to wish Sparky a Happy 75th Birthday!

03/16/2026

*** Event Out Dated ****

🚨 Blizzard Conditions Overnight into Monday Morning – Taylor County 🚨

A second round of heavy snow and strong winds is moving across the area tonight, creating dangerous travel conditions.

❄ Additional Snow: 1–3 inches possible overnight
💨 Wind Gusts: Up to 50 mph
🌨 Conditions: Widespread blowing and drifting snow with near-zero visibility at times

The Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 7:00 AM Monday.

⚠ Travel could be very difficult to impossible.
Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility and drifting may cover roadways. These conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

🌲 Strong winds may also bring down tree branches.

Safety Reminders

• Travel should be restricted to emergencies only.
• If you must travel, bring a winter survival kit (blankets, flashlight, food, water, charger).
• If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle.
• Check road conditions before traveling.

📍 Road conditions: https://511wi.gov

Stay safe and continue to monitor updates from Taylor County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service.

Provides up to the minute traffic information for Wisconsin. View the real time traffic map with travel times, traffic accident details, traffic cameras and other road conditions. Plan your trip and get the fastest route taking into account current traffic conditions.

03/15/2026

With the large amount of snow we’ve recently received, please take a few minutes to check the exhaust vents around your home.

Many furnaces and water heaters vent through pipes on the side of the house. When these vents become blocked by snow or ice, dangerous carbon monoxide can build up inside the home.

Please take a few minutes to check:

• Make sure furnace and water heater vents are clear of snow and ice
• Clear at least a couple feet of space around vent openings
• Check vents periodically, as drifting snow can cover them again
• Ensure your home has working carbon monoxide detectors ⚠️

A quick check outside can help prevent a serious hazard inside your home.

Stay safe everyone. 🚒
— Taylor County Emergency Management

03/15/2026

A significant winter storm is expected to impact Taylor County with heavy snowfall, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions through the duration of the storm.

❄ Heavy Snowfall: Large snow accumulations are expected, which may quickly cover roadways.💨 Strong Winds: Gusty winds may cause blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and creating near-blizzard conditions at times.🚗 Travel Impacts: Roads may become snow-covered and hazardous. Travel could become difficult or even impossible during the heaviest snowfall.

Safety Tips:

• Avoid travel if possible during the storm.• If you must travel, slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle (blankets, flashlight, food, water, phone charger).• Let someone know your travel plans and expected arrival time.• Watch for snowplows and give them plenty of room to work.• Clear snow safely and take frequent breaks to avoid overexertion.

⚠️ Emergency responders may experience delays due to road conditions. Please plan accordingly and only travel if necessary.

Stay updated on local forecasts and road conditions. Your safety is the top priority.

03/13/2026

*** Event Out Dated ****

🚨 Major Winter Storm Alert – Taylor County 🚨

A high-impact winter storm is expected Saturday night through Monday morning.

❄ Snow Totals: 12–18” possible, locally up to 24”
💨 Wind Gusts: Up to 45 mph – could cause blizzard conditions
🚗 Travel: Very difficult to impossible; visibility may be severely reduced

Safety Tips:

Avoid travel if possible.

If you must drive, bring flashlight, food, and water.

Check road conditions at 511wi.gov

Stay safe and stay updated!

03/12/2026

🌧️🚧 High Water on the Road? Turn Around, Don’t Drown! 🚧🌧️

When you see a “High Water” sign on the roadway, it means conditions are dangerous and the road may be flooded. Even a small amount of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road.

⚠️ Remember these important safety tips:
🚗 Never drive through flooded roads — you may not see damage, debris, or washed-out pavement beneath the water.
🌊 Just 6- 12 inches of moving water can carry away a vehicle.
🚧 Respect “High Water” and road closure signs — they are there to protect you and emergency responders.

The safest choice is simple:
➡️ Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

During heavy rain and flooding, take a few extra minutes to find another route. Your safety is worth it.

Please slow down, stay alert, and share this reminder to help keep everyone safe on the roads.

03/10/2026

🌧️ Flood Safety Awareness Week – Stay Informed & Be Prepared! 🌧️

Flooding is one of the most common and dangerous hazards in Wisconsin. During Flood Safety Awareness Week, it’s a great time to make sure you and your family are signed up to receive Taylor County Emergency Alerts so you can get important warnings when severe weather or flooding threatens our area.

⚠️ Emergency alerts can notify you about:
🌧 Heavy rainfall and flood warnings
🚧 Road closures and high water on roadways
⚡ Severe storms and other public safety emergencies

📱 Signing up is quick and easy:
📞 Call or text “Alert” to 715-447-7665
📷 Or scan the QR code in the image to register.

Being informed helps you act quickly and stay safe during flooding and severe weather events.

🚗 Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Never drive through flooded roadways.

Please share this post to help friends, family, and neighbors stay informed and prepared. Together we can help keep Taylor County safe.