A rapidly spreading wildland fire prompted a third-alarm fire department response and damaged nearly 20 acres near Huntley Friday afternoon, officials said.
The Huntley Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 12:37 p.m. Friday to the area of Church Road and Ridge Lane in unincorporated Huntley for a report of a brush fire.
The 911 caller reported the brush fire was rapidly spreading in the area.
The fire was located along Church Road between Ridge Lane and Henning Drive on the north side of the road, fire officials said.
Driven by strong southerly winds, the medium-sized fire quickly spread north through cattails and prairie land.
Due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area, a request was made through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) to bring additional manpower, all-terrain vehicles and water supplies.
The alarm was ultimately upgraded to the third alarm level for brush trucks, fire officials said.
Fire crews from Burlington, Cary, Crystal Lake, Hampshire, Hebron, Marengo, Pingree Grove, Union and Woodstock arrived to assist in extinguishing the fire.
Teams were deployed to surround the fire, with special focus on the eastern and western flanks of the blaze to contain it and protect nearby homes from potential damage.
The fire was brought under control and declared extinguished within 90 minutes, fire officials said.
Approximately 18 acres of land were burned. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.
“The District extends its gratitude to the neighboring agencies for their valuable assistance during the incident,” fire officials said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Huntley Fire Protection District.