A wildfire at Bobolink Meadow, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Orland Grasslands complex near Tinley Park, Monday night burned more than 34 acres, officials said.
Fifteen fire departments, coordinated by the Tinley Park Fire Department, responded to the blaze at 6 p.m., according to Carl Vogel, director of communications for the Cook County Forest Preserve District.
Although the fire was outside Tinley Park’s jurisdiction, it was elevated to a second alarm brush box, prompting assistance from fire trucks across the area, according to a news release from the Tinley Park Public Safety Department on Facebook.
High winds and dry grass made containment challenging, but firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze in about two hours, the release states.
There were no injuries or issues with water resources, but smoke from the fire caused traffic congestion on Interstate 57, the release states.
Dry conditions and strong southwest winds pushed the fire northeast, starting near Central Avenue and Flossmoor Road, Vogel said. The fire spread over 34 acres south of the Bobolink Family Picnic Area and west of the tree line before it was fully contained by 8 p.m., he said.
Vogel said Bobolink Meadow is recognized by the state as an Illinois Land and Water Reserve due to its significant ecological value.
The fire was confined to grasslands and fallen, dead trees, Vogel said. Since it occurred during the winter season, it is expected to have minimal affect on birds and other wildlife, he said.
The cause of the wildfire is under investigation by the Forest Preserves of Cook County police, Vogel said.
