Several fire departments responded to a large brush fire in the bluffs Sunday afternoon in the area of Bluff Road and Carr Road just north of Prairie du Rocher village limits.

The fire was reported about 12:40 p.m.

The Illinois Department of National Resources Forestry Division was also called to assist in the firefighting efforts that were still ongoing as of 4:30 p.m.

The unseasonably warm weather on the second full day of spring – with highs in the 90s – prompted some mutual aid to prevent firefighters from experiencing heat exhaustion.

Responding fire departments included Prairie du Rocher, Prairie Du Rocher, Maeystown, Red Bud, Valmeyer, Ellis Grove, Evansville, Waterloo and Chester.

Check back for more information as it becomes available.