GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Firefighters in Green Bay continue to battle a massive industrial fire at Green Bay Converting, now stretching into its third day after it first ignited during a blizzard on Monday morning.
Green Bay says restoring bare pavement on main roads may take several days
According to the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, crews remain on scene around the clock, working to control persistent hotspots caused by large rolls of paper that continue to smolder inside the facility.
Officials say the situation remains challenging because the building’s collapsed roof is making it difficult for crews to effectively direct water to the remaining hotspots. That ongoing risk has kept firefighters in a defensive posture, ensuring the fire does not reignite or spread further.
Fire marshals have now been able to enter parts of the building to begin an early investigation into what caused the fire. However, officials caution that determining an exact cause will take time.
Crews are expected to remain on scene for at least the next 48 hours, with both firefighting efforts and the full investigation potentially taking one to two weeks to complete.
Green Bay Converting CEO Jonathan Dyer spoke publicly for the first time since the fire began, saying the company’s immediate focus is on supporting its employees during the uncertainty.
“We are grateful for the over 100 firefighters, first responders, safety personnel, and local agencies from surrounding counties who have worked through extremely difficult conditions to get control of the fire over the last few days,” Dyer said.
Interim Co-Fire Chief Eric Jeltema compared the scale of the incident to one of the largest fires in department history.
“The last fire I fought like this was a multi-day incident — comparable to the Leicht Warehouse fire in 1999,” Jeltema said. “Our firefighters have faced a variety of challenges, and our community has been incredibly supportive throughout this past weekend.”
Authorities are urging the public to stay away from the area as emergency operations continue. Fire officials say hose lines remain stretched across roadways, creating dangerous conditions for both drivers and firefighters.
“We are still trying to actively put out hotspots,” Green Bay Metro Fire Department Lieutenant Shauna Walesh said. “If that goes out, it definitely puts our staff at risk. So please stay out of the area.”
Fond du Lac teens arrested for pointing gun at drive-thru worker
Fire officials also provided an update on two firefighters injured during Tuesday’s operations, saying both suffered minor injuries and are expected to return to work soon.
As crews continue their work, officials say the focus remains on fully extinguishing the fire, ensuring safety on the scene, and beginning the long process of determining what sparked one of the largest fires Green Bay has seen in decades.
