Iroquois Co. firefighters extinguish flaming field possibly caused by cigarette
MILFORD, Ill. (WCIA) — A cigarette thrown out of a window may have been the cause of a fire that torched a few acres of corn in Iroquois County Sunday afternoon.
The fire happened between 12:30-1 p.m. in the area of 975 N and 2540 E, between Stockland Township and Milford. Stockland Fire Protection District Chief David Morgeson told WCIA that the cause of the fire may have been a cigarette someone threw out of a window when driving by.
Field catches fire near Gibson City
No one was hurt, but roughly 3-4 acres of corn had to be knocked down with a disk after the fire quickly spread across the field. The fire was controlled within about 45 minutes, Morgeson said.
Milford and Sheldon Fire Protection Districts both assisted in responding to the fire.
"Please if you're out riding around enjoying the weather....extinguish your cigarette the proper way, don't just throw it out the window, as crops are dry and prone to catching fire easily in these conditions, as we just put this one out that could of turned very badly," the Milford Fire Protection District said in a Facebook post along with a photo of the damage left by the fire.
Several Central Illinois fire departments have warned residents this weekend about an elevated fire risk. The risk comes as a result of a drop in humidity levels, as well as higher wind gusts. Dried-out vegetation can easily become a fire hazard under these conditions, and officials are urging farmers to be extra cautious when harvesting.
The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency posted a red flag warning just before 3 p.m. They said nearly all of the Iroquois County fire districts are currently fighting brush fires, several of which are very large.
"DO NOT BURN!" they added.
