Brush Fire Put Out Before Reaching Orland Park Homes

Firefighters stopped a brush fire that extended about two blocks before, and kept flames away from nearby Orland Park homes Saturday afternoon.

The was called around 1:30 p.m. about a fire within prairie brush on 151st Street, between Wolf and Will Cook roads, according to a release from the district. The fire was a threat to about a dozen homes near the prairie, and it took about two hours to put out, according to the district.

“Brush fires can be unpredictable and very dangerous,” Orland Fire Acting Chief Raymond Kay said in the release. “The embers from the fire raised a concern for the safety of the nearby homes, many of which had wooden roof shingles.”

Special equipment was needed to help firefighters get into the brush, according to the release.

Traffic was reportedly stopped for about an hour on 151st Street because of the heavy smoke.

Firefighters from Mokena, Homer Glen, Palos, Frankfort, Tinley Park and Oak Forest assisted with the fire, according to Triblocal.