Stray embers believed to have ignited field fire near Spring Valley

Firefighters from companies across the Illinois Valley rushed to rural Spring Valley on Sunday afternoon to extinguish a fire encompassing an unspecified number of acres. Firefighters finally cleared the scene around 7:30 p.m. after five hours’ labor, but with no injuries.

Firefighters concentrated their efforts on a parcel located west of Route 89 across from Valley Memorial Park and just south of the Walmart distribution center and Spring Valley Ford. There, smoke from a yet unknown number of acres was billowing into the sky.

Spring Valley Fire Chief Todd Bogatitus said a controlled burn Saturday is believed to have left some embers that were kicked up by strong winds into a neighboring field.

Bogatitus said the fire was worsened by several factors. The city’s water tower was down for maintenance, forcing fire companies to truck in water. Bogatitus thanked the “well over 30″ companies who responded as well as the residents and businesses who supported firefighters with food and beverages.

Mother Nature also impeded the firefighting effort. At the time the fire was reported, the Illinois Valley was under a severe weather alert with gusts between 25 and 40 mph forecast into early Sunday evening. These winds along with cured crops and low humidity levels, will lead to very high fire danger, the National Weather Service said in a statement.

Additionally, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows Bureau and La Salle counties under a moderate drought, according to a Thursday update. A number of local fire departments have posted burn bans for Sunday.

Bogatitus said a news release would be forthcoming Monday listing the many fire companies that assisted.