Two separate brush fires in Lake in the Hills and Marengo fueled by high winds burned nearly 35 acres of land and damaged a house just over an hour apart Monday afternoon, fire officials said.
The Huntley Fire Protection District responded around 1:14 p.m. Monday to the 400 block of Steeplechase Way in Lake in the Hills for a report of a brush fire.
Huntley Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived within six minutes and located a large field fire burning in a marsh area behind several residences.
An initial investigation determined the fire began as a controlled burn being conducted by contractors in the area.
The fire spread beyond the intended burn area due to windy conditions after jumping two berms and became uncontrolled, Vucha said.
Firefighters worked to contain the fire as it moved through the marshland.
Vucha said it ultimately burned approximately four acres before it was brought under control.
Additional fire personnel were requested to assist with firefighting operations due to the difficult terrain and swampy conditions in the area.
A nearby home sustained minor exterior damage as a result of the heat from the fire, Vucha said. The residence remains habitable and no injuries were reported.
The fire district said they remind residents and contractors that all prairie, landscape or outdoor burns must comply with applicable local and county burn ordinances.
Individuals planning controlled burns should ensure proper precautions are taken and closely monitor weather conditions, particularly wind, which can rapidly spread fire beyond the intended area.
The Harvard Fire Protection District responded around 2:43 p.m. Monday — just over an hour later — to the 20500 block of Bunker Hill Road in unincorporated Marengo for a report of a brush fire.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and found an uncontrolled burn rapidly spreading across several acres of grassy farm fields and cattails, according to Harvard Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
Additional brush firefighting apparatus was requested from the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and the Union Fire Protection District due to the fire’s forward progress and windy conditions.
Fire crews worked to establish containment lines and extinguish the advancing fire as it moved through open agricultural land.
The fire was brought under control within approximately 90 minutes.
Firefighters remained on the scene until around 5 p.m. extinguishing remaining hotspots and flare-ups as gusty winds continued to move through the area.
Nearly 30 acres burned and a small piece of farm machinery was damaged. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.
The fire district said it reminds residents and contractors to use caution when conducting outdoor burning, particularly during periods of strong winds.
“Even controlled burns can quickly become unmanageable when wind conditions change, allowing fire to spread beyond intended burn areas and threaten nearby property,” the district said.
“The Harvard Fire Protection District thanks the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, Union Fire Protection District, and our dispatchers for their assistance in coordinating and supporting the response,” Vucha said.