House Burns to Occur This Week on Milwaukee Street

The Madison Fire Department will be conducting training burns this Wednesday, November 19, and Thursday, November 20, on the 3500 block of Milwaukee Street. This is the site of the old Voit Farm.

Two homes have been donated to the department to be used for destructive training before the property is redeveloped.

These trainings will involve live fire and will be conducted under the direct supervision of the Madison Fire Department Fire Training Division. The McFarland Fire Department and Sun Prairie Fire Department will also be participating in the training exercises.

On Wednesday, firefighters will work with the two-story home located at 3490 Milwaukee Street. On Thursday, crews will work with the single-story home located at 3510 Milwaukee Street.

Firefighters will begin each day with smaller burns inside the home. These smaller burns allow firefighters to observe fire behavior, heat dynamics, and practice hose advancement. Multiple firefighting companies will cycle through these educational exercises throughout the morning.

Each day will culminate in the complete burn of the home in the afternoon.

These burns may be canceled unexpectedly, depending on weather conditions.

Firefighters Caution Spectators and Passing Motorists

The Voit property is located on a popular thoroughfare along Milwaukee Street. Traffic lanes will not be shut down during the Madison Fire Department's training exercises.

The City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division will supply signage in the area to alert passersby of the training exercise and to remind people they do not need to call 911 to report the fire.

Passing motorists are asked to proceed with caution if traveling along Milwaukee Street. Keep eyes on the road and do not become distracted by the activities occurring on the Voit property. Do not attempt to take pictures or videos while driving.

Spectators are welcome to gather across Milwaukee Street to observe training activities and view the final house burns. Please remain across the street for your own safety.

Be aware that wind conditions may cause smoke to travel toward you, and if so, consider moving to another area unaffected by the smoke.

How Live Training Burns Improve Our Service

The Madison Fire Department is grateful for the opportunity to conduct live fire training at acquired properties such as the Voit Farm. These occasions allow firefighters to practice critical skills in realistic yet unfamiliar settings, offering a rare opportunity to simulate an actual fire fight in a controlled training environment.

Exercises like these help firefighters improve their cognitive cues, decision making, and confidence when combating fires in uncontrolled settings. Firefighters are also able to observe smoke and flame conditions to understand what their color, patterns, and behavior indicate about a fire. Hose advancement drills, which are incorporated into the exercise, give firefighters the opportunity to practice quick and safe fire extinguishment.

Look back at the Madison Fire Department's training burn on Roth Street (March 2025).