By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — With the coming of spring, so too comes the increased risk of wildfires.
On Monday, the Maine State Forestry Service issued warnings to residents across the state as the wildfire danger remains elevated at Class 3 or “High.”
“We urge people who are burning out of doors to please be careful with their fires,” District Ranger Robby Gross said. “And if you begin to lose control of the fire, immediately call 9-1-1.”
Rangers and firefighters across Maine responded to several wildfires over the weekend, threatening several homes and outbuildings, including a 35-acre fire in Ashland, a 20-acre fire in Allagash and a 27-acre fire in Hodgdon Saturday evening.
Hodgdon Fire Chief Royce Quint said Saturday’s fire took place on property owned by Joel Duff on the Henderson Road. Duff was burning grass on a portion of the property when it quickly spread and got out of control. Firefighters from Houlton and Hodgdon spent a couple of hours bringing that fire under control. No damages were reported.
In Island Falls, firefighters and rangers responded to a wildfire that damaged a garage. According to Ranger Chris Beyer, an elderly female homeowner was using a outside grill outside for cooking when it apparently tipped over and ignited nearby grass and brush.
She called the Island Falls Fire Department, who responded quickly, but found the wildfire starting to engulf the side of the shed. No charges were expected in this incident. Firefighters from Oakfield and Patten assisted at the scene.
Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone said Monday evening that his department received a notice from the Maine Forest Service asking all fire departments in Aroostook County to not issue open burn permits until the area received some much-needed rain.
As of Monday, the entire state was in a “High, Class 3” condition for fire danger rating. The worst rating is Extreme, Class 5.
“The state has not banned burning yet,” Cone added. “We look at the individual situations before issuing a permit. If someone wants to burn some leaves or brush in a small spot in town, the chances of that spreading is slim. But we will be questioning people a bit more than usual to see what it is they want to burn and where it is located.”
The Maine Forest Service allows for open burning between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. provided the person has a burn permit. Times may also vary from town to town. Permits can be obtained from a local fire department or online at www.maine.gov/burnpermit. The cost to obtain a burn permit online is $7. No campfire permits are issued online.
Burn pits, outdoor fireplaces or any other controlled burn area does not require a permit, Cone said.
Maine’s Forest Rangers serve in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Maine Forest Service and Forest Protection Unit. For more information, consult your local fire department.
