From The Nunda Township Rural Fire Protection District:
Firefighters Battle Large Overnight Brush Fire
On March 4, 2025, at 1:28 a.m., the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District was dispatched to the 2000 block of Davis Avenue for a reported brush fire near high-voltage transmission lines.
Multiple 911 callers reported flames reaching 20 feet into the air, rapidly spreading across the field, and encroaching on their homes.
While en route, additional resources were requested from the Cary Fire Protection District and the McHenry Township Fire Protection District to assist at the scene.
Firefighters arrived within minutes to find at least five acres of prairie land actively burning, with the fire spreading quickly along the path of the power lines toward the north.
As the flames reached denser vegetation and cattails, the fire intensified, prompting an upgrade to a second-alarm response through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS).
Additional personnel, water resources, and off-road firefighting vehicles were brought in to help contain the fire.
In total, 13 agencies responded, either assisting at the scene or providing station coverage during the incident.
Firefighters successfully contained and extinguished the fire, which ultimately consumed a 150-by-3,000-foot stretch of land between Wright Road and Colby Drive.
The incident was brought under control by 2:45 a.m.
Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have originated from unattended burn piles located near the intersection of Wright Road and Hilline Avenue, but the cause remains under investigation by the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District.
Representatives from ComEd were requested and are actively inspecting the power lines in the area for damage.
No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged.
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.
Open burning should always be conducted with caution and in accordance with local regulations to prevent incidents like this from occurring.
Photos are courtesy of the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District.
Alex Vucha took them and is the FPD’s Public Information Officer.
