Mar 19, 2026

St. Joseph Police advise public away from Sugar Lake area during large brush fire

Posted Mar 19, 2026 7:26 PM

By JIM FARIS

Unofficial Update: State Highway 45 is reopened. Blaze is mostly controlled, as of 4:45 PM.

A massive grass fire has took over Sugar Lake just south of Rushville.  St. Joseph Police have advised staying out of the area while first responders are on the scene. State Highway 45 was closed for over an hour hour as the blaze grew too close.

The Lake, taken from the east/ Photo by Jim Faris
The Lake, taken from the east/ Photo by Jim Faris
North Shore Drive, apparent fire origin/ Photo by Jim Faris
North Shore Drive, apparent fire origin/ Photo by Jim Faris
Lewis & Clark Village, on the South side of the lake/ Photo by Jim Faris
Lewis & Clark Village, on the South side of the lake/ Photo by Jim Faris
East Shore on Fire. Photo by Jim Faris
East Shore on Fire. Photo by Jim Faris
Photo by Jim Faris
Photo by Jim Faris