Every morning, as Maine Forest Ranger Wesley Hatch and thousands of other firefighters leave their makeshift campground to battle a deadly wildfire in northern California, the little boy is waiting for them. The boy watches the trucks drive past his house, which might need to be evacuated if the flames spread farther. “He stands out […]
wildfires
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Largest wildfire in California history still growing
LAKEPORT, Calif. (AP) — Wildfires tearing through trees and brush, rampaging up hillsides and incinerating neighborhoods: The place-names change but the devastation is showing signs of becoming the new normal in California. On Monday, twin fires being treated as one incident north of San Francisco became the largest wildfire in state history, destroying 443 square […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Kennebunk wildfire brought under control
A wildfire that burned 314 acres near the Kennebunk-Sanford town line was brought under control by late Thursday afternoon. Sanford Fire Chief Steve Benotti said crews had cleared the scene, but will continue to monitor the area for the next couple of days. “The fire is fully under control, but we’re going to monitor the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Wildfires spreading like, well . . . 59 and counting so far in 2018, state says
The Sabattus Fire Department helped extinguish grass fires Saturday and Sunday in Greene. On Monday, Sabattus firefighters turned their attention closer to home, dousing flames near the woods on Katherine’s Way. Monday’s fire occurred the day after a permitted burn in Sabattus. “My guess is it wasn’t extinguished properly,” Sabattus Chief Marc Veilleux said. “Any winds […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Open-burn permits secured for free online may violate law
AUGUSTA — The tens of thousands of Mainers relying on free online open-burn permits are breaking the law, Maine Forest Service Director Doug Denico said Tuesday. Denico said the private systems some rely on to avoid a $7 charge for a permit issued by the state fail to meet statutory requirements. As a result, he […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
California wildfires: Emergency responders say drones get in the way
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pilot suddenly identified the object as a four-rotor drone only 10 feet from his windshield, forcing him to make a hard left to avoid a collision about 500 feet above ground, according to a report he filed the next day. “If that drone came through my windshield, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Forest Service warns of high danger for wildfires
The Maine Forest Service says the danger of wildfires is high for the inland part of the state — from York County to Piscataquis County. The Kennebec Journal reports that the service responded to nearly a dozen spot fires in southern Maine this past weekend. The paper reported about a half-dozen brush fire reports were […]