GARY, Ind. – A brush fire Wednesday afternoon came dangerously close to the Praxair natural gas facility, highlighting the importance of precautions during red flag warnings.
Gary first responders requested assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit in fighting a large brush fire off US-12 between the Gary/Chicago International Airport and Buffington Harbor.
Due to the dry and windy conditions, the flames spread quickly, and the Lake County helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket made numerous trips to Lake Michigan to fill the bucket and drop water onto the flames. Lake County pilots completed their mission just before 5 p.m., and there were no reported injuries.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the origin of the fire. However, Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. expressed pride in the officers’ professionalism and spirit of cooperation in extinguishing the fire, emphasizing the critical role that resources and equipment play in emergency situations.
In light of this event, it’s essential to remind everyone of the importance of taking precautions during red flag warnings. These warnings indicate high wildfire danger, and it’s crucial to be vigilant and prepared to evacuate if necessary.
