Maine And New Brunswick Battle Blazes

Maine and New Brunswick have both experienced wildfires and forest fires. In Maine, the wildfire season is between late March and late November. The state experienced a series of forest fires in 1947, known as the Great Fires, which destroyed a total area of 17,188 acres of wooded land on Mount Desert Island and 200,000 acres statewide. The towns of Shapleigh and Waterboro were destroyed, and several other towns were devastated. New Brunswick has a Forest Fire Watch system in place, and grass fires require permits, written burn plans, and pre-inspection by a forest service officer.

The Great Fires of 1947 in Maine

Causes

The Great Fires of 1947 were caused by a combination of climatic and human factors. After a wet spring, the climate turned to drought conditions in July, with Maine experiencing 90 to 108 consecutive days without rain. By the end of September, the ground was extremely dry, and state and local officials recognized the danger, implementing preventive measures such as advising residents to clean their chimneys.

Impact

The fires had a devastating impact on Maine, destroying numerous towns and communities. The hardest-hit area was northern York County, where the fires began in the towns of Shapleigh and Waterboro, destroying most homes. The towns of Alfred, Lyman, Newfield, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, North Kennebunkport (now Arundel), Dayton, Wells, Biddeford, and Saco were also devastated. In addition to the destruction of homes, the fires also ravaged forests and natural landmarks. Half of Acadia National Park was destroyed, along with many Bar Harbor mansions on Millionaire's Row.

Response and Recovery

The response to the fires was a combination of local, state, and federal efforts. Firefighters from across Maine and neighbouring states fought the blazes, and the USS Little Rock, a light cruiser, sailed to Portland with 1,000 servicemen and equipment to assist. The Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and various other organizations joined local crews. After the fires, bulldozers were brought in to clear the debris, and it took a decade for many communities to fully recover. The State of Maine also worked to improve fire prevention and response, implementing measures such as establishing volunteer firefighting departments and obtaining a license for a two-way public safety radio network.

The Great Fires of 1947 remain a significant event in Maine's history, with signs and commemorations honouring the communities impacted and the resilience of those who fought the blazes.

Maine Forest Service's wildfire danger report

Maine Forest Services Wildfire Danger Report

Current Wildfires

As of May 28, 2024, there are no reports of active wildfires in Maine or New Brunswick. The Maine Forest Service's wildfire danger report is updated daily by 9:00 am.

Fire Season

Maine's wildfire season typically runs from late March to late November. During this period, residents can subscribe to receive daily wildfire danger updates via email or text.

Fire Safety

The Maine Forest Service reminds residents that fire danger is a serious concern, as evidenced by the Great Fires of 1947, which destroyed over 200,000 acres of wooded land statewide and killed 16 people.

To prevent wildfires, residents are encouraged to follow safety protocols, such as obtaining burn permits and adhering to local municipal by-laws. In the event of a wildfire, residents should immediately call 911 or their local fire department.

Resources

For more information on wildfire danger and safety in Maine, residents can visit the Maine Forest Service website or contact the following departments:

• Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry (DACF)
• Brunswick Fire Department
• Town Fire Wardens (for burn permits)

Brunswick Fire Department in Maine

The Brunswick Fire Department in Maine has been serving the citizens of Brunswick for over 200 years. The department is led by Chief Kenneth Brillant, with two Deputy Chiefs, Jeff Emerson and James Millson. The department consists of a 40-member team, including a Career force of thirty-two members covering four shifts, and an Administrative Assistant.

The Brunswick Fire Department provides Fire suppression and Emergency Medical services from two stations: Central Station at Town Hall Place, and Emerson Station at 284 Bath Road. The Central Station, located at the corner of Webster and Pleasant Streets, is a modern facility that cost $13 million to build. It is one of the most technologically advanced in the state of Maine. The station includes a fitness room, bunk rooms, offices, meeting rooms, a museum for historic memorabilia, and ample parking spaces for staff and visitors.

The department requires all members to be Hazardous Materials Technicians and are designated as one of the States Regional Response Teams for Haz Mat. They also provide Technical Rescue for Confined Space Rescue and High Angle Rescue, serving the area's industrial companies.

The Brunswick Fire Department has responded to several fires in recent years, including a fire at a single-family home on River Road in December 2021 and another at a home on Chase Lane in July 2022. In both incidents, the residents were not home or were able to escape without injury.

Forest fires a natural hazard in New Brunswick

Forest fires are a natural hazard in New Brunswick, Canada, and have been for centuries. The province has already surpassed its 10-year average for forest fires this year, with dry, hot, and windy weather creating a high risk for them.

In May 2024, about 200 homes were evacuated in western New Brunswick as forest fires continued to burn across the province. The blaze started from an all-terrain vehicle fire in Chamcook, and strong winds and dry conditions caused it to spread quickly. The fire destroyed one home and forced hundreds of people to evacuate to emergency centres.

New Brunswick has a long history of destructive forest fires. The Great Miramichi Fire of 1825, for example, devastated forests and communities throughout much of northern New Brunswick. It destroyed about one-third of the homes in Fredericton and ranks among the three largest forest fires ever recorded in North America.

More recently, in May 2023, 300 homes were evacuated and one was destroyed by forest fires in southwestern New Brunswick. The fire was fuelled by winds and dry conditions, and it spread from hilltop to hilltop. Crews from 13 different fire departments fought the flames on the ground while seven water bombers attacked from above.

New Brunswick's restricted burn rules

New Brunswick has specific rules and restrictions in place for burning activities, which are designed to prevent wildfires and protect the environment and public health. The rules vary depending on the type of burning activity and the time of year.

Open Burning

Open burning of wood or wood products is strongly discouraged due to its negative impact on the environment and human health. It is recommended to use alternative methods of waste disposal, such as chipping and composting, or taking advantage of designated yard waste collection days. If burning wood or wood products, there are strict size and location limitations. You may only burn one pile per property, and it must be smaller than three meters in diameter and two meters high. The burn must also take place at least 150 meters away from neighbouring homes.

Recreational Fires

Recreational fires, such as campfires for warmth or cooking, are generally permitted, as long as you do not burn any prohibited materials. These include animal cadavers/manure, biomedical waste, hazardous materials, pressure-treated lumber, and treated/painted wood, among others.

Fire Season Restrictions

During the fire season, which typically runs from April to November, residents of villages and unincorporated areas must obtain permission for open fires. Burning restrictions are updated daily and vary depending on the wildfire risk. When the risk is highest, usually between 8 am and 2 pm, no open fires are allowed. During this time, fires must be extinguished, and no new fires should be started. In the evening, when conditions are safer, open fires may be permitted, but they must be out by 8 am the following day.

Permits and Pre-Inspections

For larger fires or burning activities that fall outside the standard restrictions, a permit from the Department of Environment is required. Grass fires, in particular, require permits, written burn plans, and pre-inspection by a forest service officer.

Reporting a Forest Fire

If you spot an unattended wildfire, it is important to report it immediately by calling 911 or contacting the nearest Natural Resources and Energy Development office. Provide your telephone number, the exact location of the fire, a description of what is burning, and the size of the fire.

Frequently asked questions