(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
BRISTOL, Wis. — Firefighters from multiple departments rushed to the 21100 block of 121st Street Monday afternoon after a brush fire spread into a swampy field near Lake Shangri-La, prompting a large-scale emergency response
(Wizzard Photography)
According to Kenosha County fire dispatch traffic, the fire began when a resident burning brush lost control of the flames. Callers reported the fire quickly spread from a brush pile into a nearby field and swamp area.
Dispatchers told responding units that neighbors were knocking on doors and urging nearby residents to leave the area as the flames spread. Initial reports indicated the fire was burning in a field behind a residence near 21124 121st Street.
(Wizzard Photography)
Fire crews arriving on scene reported a “working brush fire” and quickly established incident command. The fire was initially referred to as a marsh or swamp fire as it burned through vegetation in the low-lying area.
Because of the risk of the fire spreading, officials activated a MABAS box alarm, bringing in additional firefighters and equipment from across the region. Departments including Bristol, Paris, Salem Lakes, Pleasant Prairie, Wheatland, Newport, Antioch, and others were called to assist. Several ATV units were also requested to help crews access the difficult terrain.
(Wizzard Photography)
Firefighters coordinated the response using a designated fireground channel while additional resources continued arriving throughout the afternoon.
Later radio traffic indicated the alarm was escalated as crews worked to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes and structures.
No injuries were immediately reported. The extent of damage to the field and surrounding vegetation was not immediately known.
Authorities have not yet said whether the brush burning that started the fire was permitted.
5 Responses
Burning brush with 16mph winds. Make the stupid homeowner pay the fire department response. I know if you call for an ambulance you greet a huge bill.
A lot more fire trucks than one $15,000. Ambulance ride. There definitely needs to be some kind of charge or ticket with a fine Equal to the cost of the response.
And I never have a fire without a garden hose right there.
And never on a windy day.
Best thing that can happen to a field and the plants overall. Come by in a month and it’ll be as green as St. Patty’s Day !
Not a great situation for residents concerned about their homes. The person responsible should be on the hook for a big chunk of money. The wind was much stronger than 16 mph-at 3:30 pm, winds were 18 mph, gusting to 25, and they were even stronger earlier. Time to write a check dumb-dumb.
The best way to control those flames is to get to the area where the flames are heading and set a back fire to creep back against the wind to create a burned out buffer from the area you need to protect. Other than that, be prepared to move in case of wind shift. Trying to attack it in the marsh is wasted effort and you’ll likely get your equipment stuck. If that happens, you are really in trouble if the wind shifts. Overall, assuming no structures are damaged, this burn will improve the quality of that wetland area.
The person responsible should pick up the bill.