Crews plan to break up ice jam causing Wolf River to rise in northeastern Wisconsin

KESHENA (AP) — Crews with the Menominee Indian Tribe plan to break up an ice jam that's causing the Wolf River to rise in northeastern Wisconsin.

The tribe's emergency management director, Ben Warrington, tells WLUK-TV (http://bit.ly/1vI3kMo ) the process planned for Friday is "mechanical" and won't involve explosives.

Menominee tribal and county leaders say Ice jams are blocking the river in three places. The ice is causing flooding in or around about a dozen homes and businesses in downtown Keshena.

Village and county leaders are supplying helping hands and more than 1,000 sandbags to protect homes and businesses.

Ice jams are unusual in December, and officials worry that warm weather and rain in the weekend forecast could aggravate the problem.

A flood warning for the area is in effect until 8 a.m. Friday.