Jonesboro wildfire doused after blueberry burn gets out of control
Jonesboro wildfire doused after blueberry burn gets out of control
16 April 2012
published by http://bangordailynews.com
USA — JONESBORO, Maine A wildfire was reported just before noon Saturday on the Hatch Knoll Road, off Route 187 in Jonesboro. The fire started from a blueberry burn that got out of control.
Firefighters from Jonesboro, Jonesport and Columbia Falls, along with Maine Forest Rangers, responded to the fire report and found blueberry ground and trees along the edges of the field torching. According to Ranger Sgt. Courtney Hammond, the fire was supposed to be contained to a blueberry field that was planned to be burned, but it spread to woods and an adjacent field.
The landowner had an equipment failure on his water wagon trailer, causing the loss of water and then loss of control of the fire. He had a permit and actually had more than the required equipment and personnel on scene, said Hammond. I was the first unit on scene for a little while, and the fire was beginning to torch the softwood trees on the edge of the field, but the fire was quickly knocked down when firefighters from Jonesboro arrived.
Since the homeowner had acquired an open burning permit for the fire and he had adhered to all of the listed conditions, no charges will be field in this incident, said Lt. Jeffrey Currier. The landowner suffered a financial loss in trees and blueberry plants that were destroyed in the fire. No structures were damaged and there were no firefighter injuries.
The fire burned 7 acres.
This fire is one of more than a dozen across Maine today, keeping forest rangers, ranger pilots and local fire crews busy. The fire danger is listed as class 4, or very high, across Maine. Rangers urge residents and visitors to use caution with any outdoor fires.
