Fire conditions reach dangerous level
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Warmer weather and lack of precipitation has resulted in ideal conditions for wildfires, according to officials with the Maine Forest Service, with several cases reported in Aroostook County over the weekend.
Photo courtesy MFS
A WILDFIRE on the East Chapman Road, Presque Isle, residence of Herschel Smith got out of control Saturday, burning about three acres of grass and brush. Officials with the Maine Forest Service advise using extreme caution in the coming week, since conditions are very dry and no precipitation is forecast through the weekend.
“Firefighters from the Presque Isle Fire Department and Maine Forest Service responded Saturday (April 27) to a wildfire on the East Chapman Road around 4 p.m. Rangers believe that the landowner, Herschel Higgins, age 53, was burning grass and brush when he allegedly lost control of the burn. The fire was found by Maine Forest Ranger Steve Wipperman, who saw the smoke and stopped to investigate,” said District Ranger Robby Gross.
Gross said upon arrival, firefighters found that the fire had consumed some tires, other debris and approximately three acres of grass and brush.
“The landowner was interviewed by Ranger Wipperman, who asked him if he had obtained an open burning permit. Higgins told the ranger that he had,” said Gross.
Wipperman questioned Higgins about why he had not called the fire department when he lost control of his fire.
“Higgins was later charged with failure to report or control a dangerous fire,” said Gross.
In addition to a potential fine of up to $1,000, Gross said Higgins may be ordered to pay court-ordered restitution for suppression costs, if convicted.
Failure to control or report a dangerous fire is a Class D crime.
Firefighters with the MFS and Ashland Fire departments also responded on Saturday to a wildfire off Route 227 heading toward Sheridan. Both land crews and a helicopter were used to bring the fire under control. Thirty-five acres were burned in that incident.
On Monday, rangers and members of the Ashland and Masardis fire departments responded to a fire in Masardis that began when sparks from debris burning in a barrel spread to a nearby garage and lawn. The property owner did not have a burn permit and will have to pay the costs related to officials extinguishing the fire.
MFS officials also responded to a wildfire in Island Falls over the weekend that was reportedly caused when a grill being used for cooking tipped over, igniting a nearby garage and burning grass and brush. Firefighters also responded to a 20-acre fire in Allagash and a 27-acre fire in Hodgdon.
Gross said conditions are extremely dry right now and that caution should be used with any open fire in the coming week, since no rain is predicted.
“The wildfire danger across Maine remains elevated at Class 3 or high. We urge people who are burning out of doors to please be careful with their fires,” Gross said, adding, “and if you begin to lose control of the fire, immediately call 9-1-1.”
Gross said those planning any kind of fire should first contact their local fire department to determine if a burn permit is required, what the current fire danger classification is and if the weather is acceptable for an open fire.
As of Tuesday, several local volunteer fire departments, including Easton and Fort Fairfield, had announced there would be no burn permits issued until the area receives some rain. Because of its status as a full-time fire department, Presque Isle was still issuing permits.
