Firefighters busy on warm, windy weekend

Firefighters battled a score of wildfires during the weekend, with the most serious blaze damaging more than 90 acres and threatening homes in Easton in Aroostook County.

Ranger Jim Downie of the Maine Forest Service said warm ash distributed over the land from a nearby plant was the likely cause of the blaze, which threatened seven homes before rangers and firefighters were able to control it Saturday.

“This time of year, with the weather the way it is, fires can spread extremely fast on the surface,” Downie said. “We fully expected to have fire activity this weekend, but 90 percent are started by people, so we urge people to be cautious.”

Easton Fire Chief Kim White said the fire started about 2:15 p.m. Saturday near the Ladner Road. He said the fire spread quickly to land on the Gray Road.

“One of our biggest concerns was King’s Dairy Farm, which is located on the Gray Road,” White said. “We were able to stop the fire before it arrived there.”

The Easton Fire Department responded with 25 firefighters and five trucks. The department immediately called the Maine Forest Service and other local fire departments for assistance. Workers had extinguished the blaze by 7:30 p.m.

Other agencies assisting included North Star Search and Rescue, the U.S. Border Patrol, Crown Ambulance, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department and the Mapleton and Presque Isle fire departments, both of which maintain Maine Forest Service brush trucks.

District Forest Ranger Robbie Gross said he expected several hot spots to show up in Easton later Sunday, and crews were expected to remain on the scene until that evening.

Downie said warm weather and high winds made conditions ideal for fire activity Saturday.

Several counties reported debris fires, ranging from one-tenth of an acre to nearly 100 acres in Easton. The same danger levels were expected for Sunday, but Downie said activity had slowed.

“I’m surprised we haven’t had more today, but maybe the word has spread,” Downie said Sunday afternoon. “We strongly urge people not to burn, but if they must, to do it in the evening rather than the afternoon.”

Permits are necessary for all grass fires, Downie said, and many authorities aren’t giving them out while the weather remains problematic. Downie also warned people of the liability should a fire get out of hand, including fines up to $10,000.