Spring in Maine Comes With a Hidden Fire Risk

As Maine is finally trying to shake off the long winter, there is something else that is melting away besides the snow, our natural protection against fire.

According to WGME, with our abundant amount of snow finally starting to disappear, fire officials are warning that spring is also bringing a hidden danger of brush fires.

Even though we've got a huge amount of snow melting into the ground, the ground can also dry out very quickly. What's underneath the snow is last years dead grass and plants, and they are everywhere.

Why Are Brush Fires More Common in Maine During Spring?

And it doesn't take much to create a brush fire, just a small spark. Imagine how many tossed cigarettes', or even unattended campfires, all could create a small enough flame to spread very fast.

So what seems minor will escalate in just mere moments.

You may think "With all the snow and rain we've had, everything must still be super wet underneath, right?"

Not exactly. As that snow is melting, it can actually leave behind dry surface conditions pretty quickly.

According to the report, Art Lavoie, a district forest ranger with Maine Forest Service says if you come across a fire,

“If nobody is there, call 9-1-1, call your local fire department. The fire department know where all their permits are, so they know whether it’s permitted or not. Every fire with a permit still needs to be attended, so there should still be people at a fire,”

The smell of wood fire burning outside is something we've all grown up with in warmer months in New England, but if you see a fire that isn't being properly managed, report it.

Read More: A Safety Warning For Hikers in Maine 

Spring in Maine is a time to get outside, finally, and enjoy the sun but it's also a time to stay alert.

A little safety and cautious with this goes a long way in keeping our towns safe.