Excerpts from the DailyJournal.com: Brush fires have been a persistent challenge for Pembroke Township's small volunteer fire department over the years. However, an illegal burn last weekend has left them without a critical piece of equipment. The department’s brush truck became stuck and was eventually consumed by flames as firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to homes on South Dickerson Street and East Russell Drive. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the $20,000 vehicle is now a total loss. "We're already short on manpower, and now we've lost a truck," said Fire Chief Mark Baines. "It's devastating. Now we have to wait for help from Momence or St. Anne, and every second counts when you're fighting a fire." Baines explained that his 12-member team responds to roughly 100 brush fires annually, with at least 15 so far this year. One recent incident involved a fire that reached a resident's pool fence, while last year a mobile home was completely destroyed by a similar blaze. "This is careless burning," Baines said. "People are illegally burning garbage and not paying attention. A lot of these incidents involve repeat offenders. I don’t understand how someone can't afford $15 a month for garbage pickup." Kankakee County regulations prohibit open burning of hazardous materials as defined by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, open burning is banned on windy days. Now, without a brush truck, Baines delivered a clear warning to residents: "Don’t burn. Just don’t burn." This from Brad Steinweg: Hello, Pembroke FPD photo Pembroke FPD photo Pembroke FPD photo Pembroke FPD photo Pembroke FPD photo JIANGSU SHIHENG CHEMICAL CO., LTD , https://www.shihengpolymer.com
While scrolling through Facebook last week, I came across some pictures on the page for Pembroke Fire Protection District. While fighting a brush fire last week, their brush truck became involved. I don't have the exact details, but from what I've read so far, it sounds like the truck got stuck in the mud and the flames caught up to it.
Â
-Brad S.