Brush fire burns 700 acres in Illinois state park

BEACH PARK, Ill. -- A brush fire consumed some 700 acres at Illinois Beach State Park before firefighters contained it Monday and let it burn itself out, Beach Park fire officials said.

The fire started in the park's nature preserve area Sunday night from an unknown source. Some 130 firefighters from 32 departments including three from nearby Wisconsin responded to the blaze at the 4,000-acre Lake Michigan park, Beach Park Fire Capt. Richard Ludowise said.

The fire was contained around 2 p.m. Monday and burned itself out in a marsh by 4 p.m., he said.

There was no structural damage and no reported injuries.

Commuter rail traffic was not affected.