ROCKFORD, Ill. — A large field fire erupted in rural northwest Rockford Monday afternoon.

Firefighters were first called to the fire after 1 p.m. in a field south of Elmwood Rd. between N. Rockton Ave. and Owen Center Rd.

The Rockford Fire Department is scheduled to have a media briefing at 4 p.m.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office has closed off roadways as a precaution. Elmwood Rd. is closed between the Owen Center Rd. and N. Rockton Ave. and Owen Center Rd. is closed between Elmwood Rd. and W. Riverside Blvd.

A message sent out by Thurgood Marshall Middle School, located just east of the field fire, said that everyone in the building is safe and dismissal would continue normally.

The fire is burning in what appears to be a field of very dry crops that were yet to be harvested.

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