Fire contained at Indiana state park

SPENCER, Ind. (WISH) - Fire crews were able to control a wildfire at McCormick's Creek State Park Friday afternoon, Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials said.

Officials said about 27 acres were consumed by fire in the park, up from an initial report of five acres burning. By 5:30 p.m., it appeared that a few smoldering spots were all that remained, but DNR officials said that it was still not considered completely out, as firefighters continued to extinguish hot spots and to be watchful for any new flare-ups.

Several fire crews arrived quickly after the fire was reported by several 911 callers at about 3 p.m., DNR said.

The field consumed held mostly sage brush and several small trees, DNR said.

Lt. Pete Hodge of the Owen Valley Volunteer Fire Department tells The Herald-Times fire crews cleared vegetation in a circle Friday afternoon to create a firebreak around the burning area and keep it from spreading. The fire was reported behind the park's campground about 3:45 p.m. Friday, when the temperature was 102 degrees.

The park is just east of Spencer along Ind. 46. The cause of the fire was unkown Friday evening.

But as an illustration of how quickly a fire can start from a wayward spark, 24-Hour News 8 reporter Jay Hermacinski said officials told him on an average day, the probability of a fire being started from a burning cigarette being thrown into a grassy area is about 50 percent. Now, the likelihood of a fire starting is at 90 percent.

Owen County, where the park is located, is under a county-wide burn ban, as is the case across much of the state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.