From the Harvard Fire Protection district:
Firefighters Contain Fast-Moving Brush Fire on Lembcke Road
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., the Harvard Fire Protection District responded to a reported brush fire in the 20700 block of Lembcke Road in unincorporated Harvard.
Initial reports indicated that several acres of grasslands were on fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire spreading across open fields and grasslands, fueled by strong winds and dry ground cover.
With no fire hydrants available in the rural area, water had to be transported to the scene using a tender shuttle operation.
The need for a continuous water supply, along with additional manpower and all-terrain vehicles to access the fire, led to the incident being upgraded through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) to the 2nd Level.
Firefighters worked to contain the fire, which ultimately burned approximately 14 acres of land.
Several structures were threatened, but crews successfully protected them from damage.
In addition to the land, various lawn tractors and small machinery were lost in the fire.
Crews remained on the scene extinguishing remaining hot spots before clearing shortly before 5:00 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
Firefighters from Boone County Fire District #2, Boone County Fire District #3, Capron Fire, Fontana, Hebron, Marengo, and Woodstock assisted at the scene.
Additional support was provided by the Capron Rescue Squad and the McHenry County Conservation District Police.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Harvard Fire Protection District urges residents to use caution with open burns, particularly during dry and windy conditions. Always check local regulations, never leave a fire unattended, and have a water source readily available.
Photos are courtesy of the Harvard Fire Protection District.
