A significant brush fire engulfed the North Fork State Wildlife Refuge, situated east of Bloomington, on Wednesday evening.
The Monroe Fire Protection District was alerted to the wildfire near E. State Road 46 around 5:24 p.m., after a local reported seeing flames, FOX59 reported. First, responders were initially directed to E. Concord Drive but, discovered that the fire was near E. Rogers Road within the refuge boundaries. The area, known for being a marsh and woodland habitat home to multiple bird species, was suddenly threatened by fast-moving flames accelerated by the wind.
Fire crews responded quickly to a fast-moving blaze in a heavily wooded area. They used two gravel roads as natural barriers to contain the fire and prevent further damage. Firefighters successfully stopped the fire after it burned about 15-17 acres of refuge land.
According to a Facebook post by the Monroe Fire Protection District, which IUSTV.com cited, the fire was eventually deemed under control. In the joint firefighting effort, a total of 25 firefighters, including six DNR first responders, were stationed at the incident, wrestling with high winds as they worked diligently to quell the flames.
The cause of the fire was not immediately established, and no statement has been released as to the potential initiating event or circumstances leading up to the fire. Members of Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ fire management not only aided in suppressing the fire but are also tasked with overseeing the aftermath of the incident, as mentioned in a report by WISHTV.com.