Investigation Underway Into Fire That Burned 5 Acres Of Prairie, Marsh Area Near Cary

By Sam Borcia, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner

November 30, 2021

Firefighters respond to the Lyons Prairie and Marsh Conservation Area at 7000 Hickory Nut Grove Road in unincorporated Cary Monday evening for a field on fire. | Photo: Nolan Sharkey

An investigation is underway after five acres of prairie land in the Lyons Prairie and Marsh Conservation Area in Cary caught fire Monday evening.

The Cary Fire Protection District responded around 9:18 p.m. Monday to the 7000 block of Hickory Nut Grove Road in unincorporated Cary for a call of a brush fire.

Alex Vucha, a spokesperson for the Cary Fire Protection District, said crews found roughly an acre of prairie land on fire and quickly spreading to the east.

Firefighters deployed hose lines and all-terrain vehicles into the Lyons Prairie and Marsh Conservation Area to extinguish the fire.

The fire, which was called in to 911 by a person driving by, was brought under control within 45 minutes.

Firefighters respond to the Lyons Prairie and Marsh Conservation Area at 7000 Hickory Nut Grove Road in unincorporated Cary Monday evening for a field on fire. | Photo: Nolan Sharkey

An estimated five acres of prairie land burned in the incident, Vucha said. No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged.

Hickory Nut Grove Road was closed in both directions for over an hour due to the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Cary Fire Protection District.

On Saturday, firefighters were called to a brush fire in the 500 block of Hickory Nut Grove Lane in Cary, which is approximately half a mile away from the Monday fire.

It is unknown if either of the brush fires are related.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.