Cause of large field fire in Knox County identified, 2 firefighters treated

RIO, Ill. (KWQC) - The Rio Fire Department says the cause of a large field fire that broke out over the weekend was material in a combine that caught fire due to the heat and dry conditions of the crops.

Sunday, around 2:09 p.m., the Rio Fire Department said they were dispatched to a field fire that had spread into standing corn.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital and released, according to a media release. A second firefighter received care at the scene for smoke inhalation.

The field fire also drew a large response from other area departments.

Around 2:20, large plumes of smoke could be seen in fields between Knox Road 200 East and Knox Road 100 East.

By 3:15 p.m., the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said there were road closures on Knox Highway 33 from Knox Highway 34 to Rio and Knox Highway 2 from US Highway 150 N to Rio because of the fire.

Eyewitnesses said there were several different fires throughout the field.

Crews with the Rio Fire Department said they called in mutual aid from other area departments, including:

• Galva-Bishop Hill
• Oneida-Wataga
• Knoxville
• Henderson
• Alexis-North Henderson
• Gerlaw
• Central Warren
• Altona
• Oxford
• Maquon
• Rivoli
• Victora
• Elba-Salem
• Clover
• East Galesburg
• Tri-County Ambulance
• Knox County Sheriff’s Office
• Knox County 911
• Illinois DNR
• Illinois State Police

The Rio Fire Department said they’re thankful to all who helped.

“Everyone worked very well together to get the job done,” the Rio Fire Department posted to Facebook.