Wildfire — Ford, Illinois

2025-10-05 · Ford, Illinois

Event narrative

A wildfire started in a crop field southeast of Stelle near 3500N Road between 1800E Road and 100E Road. The fire rapidly spread northeast crossing 3600N and 3700N Roads and then entered far northeast Iroquois County. Several hundred acres were burned, some with unharvested crops. A few farm outbuildings were destroyed.

Wider weather episode

A large wildfire occurred near Stelle in Ford County and rapidly spread northeast, crossing into a small part of Iroquois County. The fire is suspected to have been started by hot farm equipment harvesting crops on a dry and windy day. The fire is estimated to have burned nearly 650 acres. A few farm outbuildings were destroyed by the fire. Over 40 fire departments responded to the wildfire with ash from the fire being deposited as far north as east central Will County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1295094. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.