A New Gloucester firewood dealer and his brother, who sell firewood from Windham, face unfair trade practice lawsuits brought by the state.

Attorney General Steven Rowe announced the actions Thursday against Roland W. Hale II, and Bryan Hale. The state alleges the pair delivered less firewood than customers ordered and paid for.

Roland Hale does business as Friendly Firewood at 65 Winston Way in New Gloucester. Bryan Hale does business as Avery Acres Firewood at 12 Tammy Lane in Windham.

Maine’s Department of Agriculture has received 18 consumer complaints against Roland Hale and seven against Bryan Hale, according to Assistant Attorney General James McKenna.

Roland Hale has been served with the lawsuit, McKenna said; the state is still trying to locate his brother to serve him.

Inspectors from the department’s Office of Sealer of Weights and Measures went to consumers’ homes and measured the wood that had been delivered by the Hales. In each case, McKenna said, inspectors concluded that the consumer had been sold significantly less firewood than had been ordered and paid for.

In announcing the lawsuits, Rowe said, “With energy prices as they are, Mainers are entitled to expect full value for their home heating dollar. Short sellers of any home heating fuel can expect our serious and immediate attention.”

He complimented the Office of Sealer of Weights and Measures for its investigation into the consumer complaints.

Ronald Hale’s telephone was disconnected; a message left on his cell phone seeking comment wasn’t immediately returned.

Bryan Hale, however, did return a call. He called the state’s action “absurd.”

“I’ve had four legit complaints in the past 4 years,” he said. “I take care of all my complaints,” he added, saying he either refunded a customer’s money or provided more wood.

Bryan Hale said he thinks he may be a victim of some of his brother’s dealings. “My brother’s had some trouble,” he said, “but not Avery Acres.”

He said he will contest the state’s lawsuit.

According to McKenna, the brothers had advertised their businesses in ads appearing in Uncle Henry’s Buy, Swap and Sell magazines.

McKenna said he understands that since the state has initiated action, some Hale customers have been given refunds.

If the state prevails in its lawsuits, the Hales would be required to return their customers’ payments and could be fined up to $10,000 for each individual violation of law.

If anyone wants advice on how to measure delivery of firewood or wants to request an official measurement, they should contact the state Office of Sealer of Weights and Measures in Augusta by calling 287-3841.

Consumers may also check the amount of wood in woodpiles by using a cord calculator on the attorney general’s Web site.

A cord of wood should measure 4 feet wide by 4 feet high by 8 feet long.