Industrial Aluminium Profile,Aluminium Extrusion Profiles,aluminium curtain wall profiles,Industry Aluminum Alloy Profile Foshan Modern Copper & Aluminum Extrusion Co.,Ltd. , https://www.fsmodernaluminium.com
At around 4 p.m. this afternoon, the RED Center, which serves the Prospect Heights Fire Department, received a call about a significant brush fire in the Potawatami Woods Forest Preserve, located off Portwine Road within the Prospect Heights Fire District. Based on the caller’s report that the fire covered an area roughly the size of a football field, the incident was escalated to a working fire.
The first responding units arrived and found a large fire burning in the forest preserve. As they assessed the situation, it became clear that the fire was extensive and required more resources than the initial response could provide. Firefighters from Prospect Heights, Wheeling, and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, along with a brush unit from Long Grove, entered the area using a brush rig. However, much of the ground was soft, causing several vehicles to become stuck during the operation.
Long Grove Brush 55 was among the first units to re-enter the burning area. Larry Shapiro captured images of the effort, showing firefighters using hand tools to combat the flames at the edge of the burn. Despite their efforts, the fire spread quickly, with flare-ups occurring faster than crews could reach them. The fire consumed large fuel loads, creating intense heat and thick black smoke that was visible for miles.
Additional resources were dispatched as the alarm was elevated to a MABAS Brush Fire Box Alarm. Companies from the Countryside Fire District, Buffalo Grove, Grayslake, Elk Grove Township, and Fox River Grove arrived, bringing water tenders, brush units, and engines. A wildland progressive hose pack was deployed by a Long Grove officer, and a 1-inch hoseline was charged for use. Water was also deployed to tackle the fully involved tall grasses on the south end of the site.
Meanwhile, the Barrington Fire Department was dealing with its own large brush fire at the box alarm level, which created some challenges for dispatchers as they coordinated the response. A tanker from Countryside FPD helped support Long Grove Brush 55, and multiple lines were stretched into position to contain the fire.
Larry Shapiro was on scene and submitted several photos documenting the event. Tim Olk was also present, and his images will be shared in a follow-up post. The Cook County Forest Preserve Conservation Team later arrived to assist with mop-up after the fire was contained.
No injuries were reported, and more photos can be viewed [here](#) and [here](#). Larry Shapiro plans to release a video of the incident once it is ready.