13 Fire Departments Battle Massive Brush Fire

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Firefighters battled a large brush fire in McHenry County for more than an hour before bringing it under control early Tuesday.

The Nunda Rural Fire Protection District was called to the brush fire in the 2000 block of Davis Avenue at about 1:30 a.m. for the reported blaze, which was approaching high-voltage transmission lines, according to a news release from the fire protection district.

The flames were reported to be reaching 20 feet in the air and rapidly spreading across the field, fire officials said. When firefighters arrived at the scene they found at least five acres of prairie land on fire and the blaze spreading quickly along the path of the power lines toward the north.

In total, 13 fire departments were called to help battle the blaze, which consumed 150-by-3,000-foot stretch of land between Wright Road and Colby Drive, according to a news release. The fire was brought under control by 2:45 a.m.

It appears the fire may have started from unattended burn piles that had been located near the intersection of Wright Road and Hilline Avenue, fire officials.

Representatives from ComEd were called and are actively inspecting the power lines in the area for damage. No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged.

Meanwhile, fire officials are reminding residents that unattended burn piles pose a significant fire risk, particularly in dry or windy conditions. Residents are reminded to never leave fires unattended and to fully extinguish them before leaving the area, according to the news release.

"Open burning should always be conducted with caution and in accordance with local regulations to prevent incidents like this from occurring," according to a news release from the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District.