Firefighters Knock Down Grass Fire at Sweet Pea's
BAR HARBOR—Local firefighters from across the island battled a Bar Harbor grass fire, close to noon, on Friday, April 25.
The Bar Harbor Fire Department, Mount Desert Fire Department, and Acadia National Park responded to the large grass fire at Sweet Pea’s Winery. Crews staged at the winery’s parking lot for the second-alarm fire. The Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Police Department also responded. The Southwest Harbor Fire Department provided station coverage.
Sweet Pea’s Cafe is a farm-to-table restaurant owned by Christian and Nicole Cuff as well as Jacob Cuff.
Bar Harbor Fire Chief Matt Bartlett said that the fire is believed to have been caused by a push lawnmower. It burned approximately an acre.
Just the day before, at a Bar Harbor Planning Board workshop, Chief Bartlett had praised the collaborative nature of the island fire departments when it came to dealing with fires on Mount Desert Island. Fire personnel had helped Bar Harbor with a fire at 12 Stephens Lane in downtown Bar Harbor, in late February. He also noted the police department’s willingness to provide whatever help is needed during fire department calls, which may be why some saw a police officer driving an ambulance to another scene recently.
The fire danger for much of Bar Harbor was considered moderate according to the Maine Forest Service. The weather forecast for the weekend is for rain.
By 12:30 the fire was knocked down and the firefighters were searching the area for hot spots.
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