‘Potential is real’ for devastating blazes in Maine, ranger says

OLD TOWN – The wildfires ravaging California may seem as distant as they are disturbing, but officials here in Maine say this state could be susceptible to similar devastation.

Forest Ranger Jim Downie, a spokesman for the Maine Forest Service, said that during the year Maine has some of the same conditions that have allowed flames to spread so rapidly in California. Dry weather, dead leaves and plants, and winds are some of the ingredients that can make for forest fires. Add homes that are built too close to woods with not enough safety precautions taken into account and you’ve got even more at risk.

With vivid video of the fires on television and pictures in newspapers, the danger is all too real for Downie, a ranger for more than 30 years. Maine firefighters have yet to be called up to assist, he said Monday, although if the fires continue their rampage, help from Maine may be needed in the near future.

Here at home, Downie worries about the danger that may be lurking in this state’s woods.

“The potential is real here,” said Downie, who remembered a fire in 1992 that managed to cross hundreds of feet over the Allagash River, spreading from one side of the river to the other.

To reduce the risk of a California-style blaze, there are some precautions that new-home builders – as well as existing homeowners – can take.

To help defend against the spread of fire, Downie said, the forest service recommends that homes have at least 50 feet of space around them, with open grass lawn preferable.

“A good, green lawn is probably one of the best defensible spaces you could have,” said Downie, who knows that some people like to have shrubs and trees close to their homes. In those cases, trees should be pruned about 8 to 10 feet from the ground to hinder the vertical spread of fire.

Shrubs should be spaced out around the house and kept clean. Any dead or decaying materials – fuel for a fire – should be removed. Cut wood shouldn’t be stockpiled close to the house, especially if the house has cedar shingles, he said.

Downie also said people should work with their local fire departments or forest rangers to identify other sources of water in the area and to make sure that emergency personnel can get to the home in case of an emergency. Some driveways are built only for cars, he said – which are not wide enough for ambulances or firetrucks to get in. Advanced information about alternate sources of water, such as a spring, stream or even a swimming pool, could help firefighters.

Making sure there are water spigots around the outside of the house, enough for garden hoses to reach any spot, could allow homeowners to hose down their homes in case of a nearby fire or even be used to delay the spread of a grass fire.

Downie said homeowners with questions should contact their local fire departments or forest rangers, who are listed under the Department of Conservation.