Updated: Brown County State Park still open as fire remains under control
Editor's note: This story has been updated
A 100-acre forest fire at Brown County State Park was under control Wednesday and expected to burn itself out, but likely will continue to smolder and produce thick smoke through Thanksgiving Day.
The park remains open to visitors.
The cause of the fire, which was reported Sunday evening, hasn't been determined.
Department of Natural Resources firefighters used bulldozers and other equipment to remove vegetation and create what's called a "fireline" that keeps flames from spreading.
"There is a fair amount of large, downed trees that will continue to produce smoke until there is significant rainfall, so people will continue to see it," DNR spokesman Marty Benson said Wednesday.
Recreational facilities at the 15,815-acre park have continued to operate normally throughout the fire, he said.
Earlier:
As darkness fell Monday evening, firefighters had created a fire line and halted the spread of a forest fire at Brown County State Park that had consumed 100 acres.
A brush fire was reported about 5:30 p.m. Sunday night on the east side of Brown County State Park, according to Department of Natural Resource spokesman Marty Benson. The fire was not close to any structures.
Local fire departments, DNR fire headquarters personnel, and conservation officers were on the scene soon after, assessing the slow-moving blaze.
DNR’s fire unit eventually took over as the other units left. They demobilized late Sunday night because of safety concerns, Benson said. They were back at the park at daybreak Monday.
Fire suppression continues today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: 100-acre fire at Brown County State Park is contained; park open
