Green Bay Firefighters Battle Massive Industrial Blaze

Fire at Green Bay Converting plant stretches into third day with crews working around the clock

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:48pm

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Firefighters in Green Bay, Wisconsin are continuing to battle a massive industrial fire at the Green Bay Converting plant that has been burning for three days since igniting during a blizzard on Monday. Crews are working around the clock to control persistent hotspots caused by large rolls of paper that continue to smolder inside the facility, with the collapsed roof making it difficult to effectively direct water to the remaining hotspots.

Why it matters

The scale of this fire is being compared to one of the largest incidents the Green Bay Metro Fire Department has responded to in decades, highlighting the challenges and risks firefighters face when battling large-scale industrial blazes. The ongoing incident has also disrupted operations at the Green Bay Converting plant, a major local employer.

The details

According to fire officials, the situation remains challenging due to the collapsed roof of the building, which is making it difficult for crews to effectively direct water to the remaining hotspots. This has kept firefighters in a defensive posture, working to ensure the fire does not reignite or spread further. Fire marshals have begun an investigation into the cause of the blaze, but caution that determining an exact cause will take time.

  • The fire first ignited during a blizzard on Monday morning.
  • Firefighters have been battling the blaze for three days as of Saturday, March 18, 2026.
  • Crews are expected to remain on scene for at least the next 48 hours, with the full firefighting effort and investigation potentially taking one to two weeks to complete.

The players

Green Bay Metro Fire Department

The local fire department leading the response and firefighting efforts at the Green Bay Converting plant.

Jonathan Dyer

The CEO of Green Bay Converting, who spoke publicly for the first time since the fire began, saying the company's immediate focus is on supporting its employees during the uncertainty.

Eric Jeltema

The Interim Co-Fire Chief of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, who compared the scale of the incident to one of the largest fires in department history.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Jonathan Dyer, CEO, Green Bay Converting

“The last fire I fought like this was a multi-day incident — comparable to the Leicht Warehouse fire in 1999. Our firefighters have faced a variety of challenges, and our community has been incredibly supportive throughout this past weekend.”

— Eric Jeltema, Interim Co-Fire Chief, Green Bay Metro Fire Department

“We are still trying to actively put out hotspots. If that goes out, it definitely puts our staff at risk. So please stay out of the area.”

— Shauna Walesh, Lieutenant, Green Bay Metro Fire Department

What’s next

Fire 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.

The takeaway

This massive industrial fire highlights the challenges and risks faced by firefighters when battling large-scale blazes, especially in facilities with complex layouts and flammable materials. The community's support and the dedication of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department have been critical in responding to this ongoing incident.