The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors is working to assess the cost of the fire last spring and summer in Mount Valley Township. The fire was fueled by peat, an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation in wetlands that is highly flammable, can burn underground and produce a lot of heat. Farm owner Mark Eaton conducted a burn on his land that led to nearby peat catching fire. Special chemicals were used to extinguish the blaze and the price to purchase those chemicals has become a point of contention. Eaton and his wife told the board this week they were left out of the decision-making progress.
Supervisors Susan Smith and Bill Jensvold tried to put some perspective on the situation, saying firefighters did their best to contain the fire as it spread.
After numerous attempts, the fire was finally extinguished by the Forest City Fire Department using a product called Peat FireX, which can penetrate the ground, reach the peat and smother the blaze. County officials say Eaton needs to pay for the chemicals used in fighting the fire.
