A wildland fire started at Illinois Beach State Park in north suburban Lake County about 2:45 p.m. Easter Sunday, burned for about eight hours, and covered more than 750 acres. The fire is under investigation.
Several fire agencies responded to fight the wildland fire which brought thick black smoke and falling ash to the area. Six fire departments arrived from Wisconsin.
The first arriving crew — responding to a call of a possible ‘open burn’ — found 30 acres on fire and flames more than 30 feet high, according to a press release from the Beach Park Fire Department.
The fire department response was upgraded to a second level box alarm about 3:31 p.m.
No injuries were reported, but one firefighter was transported to an area hospital for a checkup.
The National Weather Service canceled a Red Flag Fire Warning for the day, which had been activated on Saturday. The fire risk warning was activated Saturday because of low humidity and high wind conditions. The critical level was not met on Sunday, but conditions still existed for a higher risk of brush fires or wildland fires.
There are unconfirmed reports of seven or eight youth fleeing the area before the fire was reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. beach Park Fire Department has urged anyone who may have seen seven or eight youths fleeing the area to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Department at 847-377-4000.
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CHICAGOFIREMAP.NET REPORT
WILDLAND FIRE AT ILLINOIS BEACH PARK ZION, IL — EXTRA ALARM FIRE
SUN APR 05 2015 ~3:31 PM
BEACH PARK FIRE DEPARTMENT
WILDLAND FIRE/BOX ALARM 2ND LEVEL
1 LAKE FRONT DRIVE BEACH PARK ZION, IL (ILLINOIS STATE PARK WILDLAND BEACH PARK)
MABAS DIVISION 4 BOX ALARM 2ND ALARM ON BOX #12-70 FOR A WILDLAND FIRE.
SPECIAL REQUEST FOR 2 ADDITIONAL ATVS WITH PUMP CAPABILITY AT 5:02 PM.
STRUCK OUT AT 5:15 PM.
UNIT RESPONSE …
ENGINE(S): GREAT LAKES, LAKE FOREST, ROUND LAKE, WAUKEGAN
BRUSH TRUCK(S): ANTIOCH, WILDLAND 4, FOX LAKE, COUNTRYSIDE
TENDER(S): GRAYSLAKE , BRISTOL
WILDLAND TECHS: BEACH PARK, COUNTRYSIDE, BRISTOL, GRAYSLAKE, GURNEE, LAKE VILLA, NEWPORT, FOX LAKE, WAUKEGAN, LIBERTYVILLE, KNOLLWOOD, MCHENRY, LAKE ZURICH, SPRING GROVE, BARRINGTON, WONDER LAKE, ?, CARY, LONG GROVE (NOT AVAILABLE)
EMS: NORTH CHICAGO, SALEM, LIBERTYVILLE, KENOSHA
CHIEF(S): WILDLAND LIAISON, WAUKEGAN
SPECIAL: MESS CANTEEN, ATV 4, WILDLAND LEADERS, WILDLAND TRAILER, SRT REHAB BUS, COMMAND 2, SRT MECHANICS TRUCK, SPRING GROVE ATV
CHANGE OF QUARTERS: LAKE FOREST CHIEF, LAKE FOREST ENGINE, LAKE VILLA AMBULANCE, SOMERS ENGINE
STAGING: FIRE STAGING LANE 1
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