Crews Have Responded to Multiple Fires Amid Flash Drought Conditions on Mount Desert Island
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MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Prior to Monday’s rain, drought conditions on the Maine coast and Mount Desert Island had increased fire danger and response.
Mount Desert Fire Department (MDFD) responded to a fire at 55 Cooksey Drive in Seal Harbor, Saturday, August 23, initially to investigate the smell of smoke in the area.
“MDFD responded with three apparatus and a crew of eight firefighters,” Fire Chief Mike Bender said. “After a quick search, crews found a small, deep-seated, smoldering fire approximately two feet by four feet wide, not threatening any structures.”
The fire came after another fire in Acadia National Park last week and multiple reports of smoke smell in various areas on Mount Desert Island.
“Using hand tools and hose lines, crews ‘dug out’ the fire and hosed downed the area,” Chief Bender said. “It was declared extinguished, and all crews cleared at 9:50 p.m.”
Chief Bender said the cause was undefined but not suspicious. There were no mutual aid requests.
“Duty crew returned the next morning as a follow up and there were no signs of fire or smoke. Maine Forestry was advised,” he said.
Three days earlier, at shortly before 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, there was a report of smoke smell by the Eagle Lake carriage roads. There was no fire found and the smoke smell dissipated. By approximately 6:48 p.m., all apparatus and personnel had been released from the scene after a Maine Forest Service helicopter failed to find any sign of a fire.
On Friday, August 15, a fire that was likely set by lightning strikes and was initially reported by a local man riding his bike in Acadia National Park (ANP) was put out by local firefighting crews.
One local firefighter said that two lightning strikes were the likely cause.
Peter Beckett said that he spotted the white smoke in the area of Gilmore Meadow at approximately 7:30 p.m., Friday, while he was riding on the carriage roads and called ANP to report it.
”I was riding on the carriage roads from Shady Hill. About a mile before Gilmore Meadow, I started to smell smoke, so I was scanning the woods both sides, didn't see anything,” he said.
When Beckett reached a small bridge where the water flows toward Aunt Betty’s Pond, which is near Eagle Lake, there were two other bicyclists that had stopped. They all discussed the smoke and Beckett called Acadia National Park Headquarters, reporting it.
At 9:50 p.m., radio traffic indicated that fire crews had found an approximate 20-feet by 30-feet area that was mostly smoldering.
On Monday, August 11, a small brush fire at the Mt. Desert Narrows Campground elicited a response from both the Bar Harbor Fire Department and the town’s police department due to the recent dry conditions and elevated fire dangers.
According to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department, just after 10 a.m., someone called in a small brush fire at 1219 Route 3, the Mt. Desert Narrows Campground.
The fire was located near the western end of the property where the roads are unpaved and narrow, but fire apparatuses were able to drive to the fire location. Firefighters quickly extinguished any flames and made sure that the ground was saturated prior to leaving.
Bar Harbor Fire Chief Matt Bartlett said that they had not determined an exact cause of the fire but thought that it most likely an improperly extinguished campfire.
Maine’s fire danger is updated daily at the following website.
Bar Harbor banned campfires for the weekend because of the dry conditions which were doused a bit by Monday’s rain.
“The shutdown is caused by several factors, including a lack of recent rain, ongoing high fire danger, and forecasted increased winds with gusts reaching up to 30 mph,” Chief Bartlett told the Bangor Daily News’ Bill Trotter.
The town’s fire department has not lifted that ban as of press time.
“The ban on all outdoor burning (including campfires) is extended until fire danger lessens. We are optimistic that changing weather conditions in the coming days will allow us to reevaluate soon,” the department wrote on social media.
Charcoal and propane fires in contained appliances are still permitted.
The Maine Drought Monitor is updated every Thursday.
According to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Monday, July was a warmer and drier month than typical for most of Maine, with a statewide average temperature of 68.3°F, which is approximately 3°F warmer than normal.
“Temperatures are expected to continue to be likely above average for August and the next two months,” the agency said.
July had approximately 2.4 inches less rain than that month in 2024.
“A pattern of reduced rainfall in Central and Southern Maine and intensely warm temperatures led to a flash drought that continued into the middle of August affecting almost 80% of the state. Rain totals are expected to be near normal throughout August and the next two months,” the agency said.
It continued, “The southern two-thirds of Maine are currently experiencing a flash drought, with some areas of the state categorized as abnormally dry to severe drought. These conditions can lead to discolored foliage or leaf drop, dry soils, low water levels in streams, reservoirs, and wells, and at times, can lead to increased fire danger. Leaves of hardwood species can turn color or drop early during periods of drought to avoid drought stress.”
It’s also kept the Maine rangers busy.
“Maine Forest Service Rangers have responded to an above-normal number of wildfires in the last 30 days, and fire danger continues to be moderate to very high. Please be sure to check the daily Wildfire Danger Report and consult with local fire officials before conducting any open burning. Drought conditions are expected to continue but may improve with forecasted periods of decent rainfall, especially in the peak of hurricane season,” the agency wrote, Monday.
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