Wildfire conditions lead to Kendall disaster declaration

Kendall County is under a local disaster declaration that effectively bans outdoor burning, hot works, and the sale and use of all fireworks for the next few days.

County Judge Shane Stolarczyk signed the disaster declaration on March 18, certifying that elevated fire weather conditions “pose an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property.”

Persistent drought conditions, a significant lack of rain, high gusty winds and low humidity combined to present hazardous conditions for firefighters across the state, who struggled early in the week to bring numerous acre-scorching blazes under control.