On Sunday afternoon, March 22, several local fire departments were called out for a large brush fire in the bluffs north of Prairie du Rocher.
It is believed that the fire started as a controlled burn that got out of control due to the wind.
Reported as responding to the fire were: Prairie du Rocher, Maeystown, Red Bud, Ellis Grove, Evansville, Chester, Waterloo and Valmeyer Fire Departments, as well as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division.
The fire departments were on scene for several hours.
For more on the fire, please see this week’s print edition.