A fire damaged several acres of land, along with heavy equipment, vehicles, trailers and other items, in an industrial yard and state park near McHenry Wednesday afternoon.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded around 2:02 p.m. Wednesday to the 2100 block of South River Road in Holiday Hills for a report of a brush fire.
McHenry Township Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Chris Kozel said fire crews arrived within eight minutes and confirmed an active outside fire.
The property, located at 2121 South River Road, is where Ozinga, Doc’s River Road Storage, Doc’s Dumpsters and Reliable Sand & Gravel Company are located.
There were several acres of land on fire. The fire involved rubbish, heavy equipment, recreational vehicles, semi-trailers, pallets and used tires.
Kozel said this produced a large column of black smoke visible from a few miles away.
Firefighters assisted the property owner who was using heavy machinery to control the spread of the fire.
The fire spread to Moraine Hill State Park as well as residential property.
Additional fire department resources and Illinois Department of Natural Resources conservation rangers were called to the scene to stop the fire, Kozel said.
The fire burned approximately five acres but no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.
Kozel said the property owner believed the fire began after controlled vegetation burning earlier in the day on their property.
Fire officials said people are reminded that dry spring weather creates optimal conditions for brush and vegetation fires to quickly ignite and spread out of control.
“Please use extreme caution and follow your local open-burning ordinances and regulations,” the fire district said.