BRADLEY – The Maine Forest Service played a pivotal role Monday in saving a popular summer camp on Chemo Pond that has served generations of Maine youngsters.
The wildfire that threatened to consume Camp Molly Molasses, owned and operated by the Bangor Y, was spotted about 2:15 p.m. by a forest service air detection flight, according to District Ranger Jeff Currier.
Currier said that Ranger Paul Perry quickly located the fire on the ground and called for assistance. Fire crews from Bradley and nearby Holden and Eddington arrived shortly afterward and extinguished the fire before it reached the camp and several of its structures.
In addition, the forest service kept a helicopter stationed at Old Town on standby to assist ground crews.
The fire, which was fanned by gusty winds, burned about 4 acres of mature mixed growth before firefighters were able to contain it, Currier said.
Currier said the fire’s cause remained under investigation by forest rangers late Monday, but that it appeared the fire might have originated at a brush pile located near one of the camps. The forest service is checking to see if any open burning permits were issued for the site.
Currier said firefighters from the forest service and nearby communities planned to remain at the fire scene into late Monday night to mop up hot spots.
“We will be continuing the investigation into the fire’s cause as well,” he said. “We are certainly glad that a quick response by local firefighters and our forest ranger prevented the loss of buildings at the camp.”
Though Camp Molly Molasses is primarily used as a summer camp, it also is rented out for private events, include weddings, corporate picnics, staff retreats and family reunions, to name a few.
Also Monday, the forest service also responded to wildfires in Orrington, Dennysville and Township 2, Range 8 north of Millinocket Lake.
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