Midewin Hotshots coming to North Island

    The nearest wildfire crew is based right here in Wilmington  at the USDA Forest Service's Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.
    Midewin is host to the only hotshot crew in the Eastern Region of the U.S. Forest Service.
    The public is invited to North Island in Wilmington to talk with members of the Hotshot crew on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 6 to 7 p.m.
    Tthe Midewin hotshots will show the tools and equipment they use to fight wildfires and conduct prescribed burns. They will answer questions such as: Why do we suppress wildfires and conduct controlled burning? What is Smokey Bear's new motto? What is life like for a hotshot?
    Then, at 7 p.m. the Wilmington Public Library will present a free screening of the film "Only The Brave" at the North Island. The movie will be shown on the big screen under the stars as a shared community experience. Bring blankets and chairs. The movie is rated PG-13.
    Bring a camera for opportunities of fun photos with Smokey Bear and our neighbor Dash the hotrod, which is the Chicagoland Speedway's mascot show car.
    Food will be available from Mikki’s Diner food truck.
    If there is rain, the event will move to the Island Park District building at 315 N. Water St.
    The Island Park District, the Wilmington Public Library and the USDA Forest Service's Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie are collaborating to provide this fire prevention education event.
    The event is intended for people of all ages and abilities. Come and learn more from your local wildfire fighting team and find out how you can make a difference in fire prevention.

Date: 
Thursday, September 27, 2018 - 6:00pm