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.
Even when responsible land owners get a permit for a controlled burn trouble can occurr. We are now in a nation wide drought. Those issuing permits may want to rethink what they have done in the past. This could be a long season. Next week is going to bring unusually high temps making this situation even worse. Go fishing-burn later.
We are not in a nation wide drought. Yes, things have been dry but we are far from a nation wide drought.
About 40 states my freind.
But, but, it was a business!
Irrelevant!!! Whem you comply with the law and follow the rules of permits there can be NO enforcement action. No laws were broken. If the fire had crossed property lines there may be cause for a civil action IF the landowners were not able to reconcile any problem.
Spoken like someone with law enforcement connection…
Hope the company has to pay for the cost associated with fire suppression.
And just which company would that be?
No idea…do you?
YES, I do. The property owner pays his taxes just like anyone else. Because he followed the rules and his problem came from mechanical failure and not negligence he is entitled to the same level of services as any other tax paying property owner. That, being quick and efficient response from fire services, Maine Forestry, and surrounding towns with whom the fire department has had the foresight to make mutual aid agreements which are provided at NO COST to the individual or municipality involved. Hope you never need the same service. LOL.
Fair enough but if this had been someone else, without law enforcement connections, we would have gotten a ticket and forced to pay back. What do you mean…at not cost. Really, the equipment, gas and time to train the fire department. it all cost
What law enforcement connections are you talking about? You are not making much sense. Using your logic, a person in a motor vehicle accident should be invoiced when a state trooper responds. The article says that the landowner had a permit and that they complied with the conditions. – no violation. Not sure, but I do not think any company owns land on Hatch Knoll Road in Jonesboro anyway. Looks like all residential on Google map to me.
YES, I do. The owner pays his taxes just like anyone one else. For which and because he followed the rules;he gets the same service from his tax dollars as would any other property owner. That being, immediate response from emergency services including surrounding towns from which the local fire department has had the foresight to make mutual aid agreements which come at NO COST to the community or individual directly involved. Hope you never need the same service.
Burning is part of the agricultural business of blueberry growing. It seems that the forest rangers understand this. I know that they try to help growers who have to get this burning done. They are often allowed to burn on days when homeowners are not. This is most likely because the blueberry people are well equipped and have experience. The forest rangers work with them to get the job done….safely. State government being sensible and helpful I say.
yeah and I am sure it isn’t because of the police connection that no one was charged. Why should I pay for a forest ranger to be burning a blueberry companies field so they can make a profit later. The company wants to pay back the cost of the ranger’s salary that day, fuel cost for the trucks they drive, fine I have no problem. but for them to get a free ride to later benefit is not right.
The forest ranger wasn’t “burning a blueberry companies field”- they were helping the local fire department put the fire out, investigating the cause, and making sure the permit criteria was met. You may want to read the story again.
Charge ’em, Dano…
Excuse me, but to what “police connection” are you referring? Rebecca’s response below certainly covers the facts of this unfortunate accidental fire. We all pay taxes so that when we need the help of our public servants, we get it. Seems to me that you’re playing out some other problem you have with someone else. I happen to know the family whose farm this is. They are hard-working, local farmers who employ community members in the conduct of their business, and contribute greatly to the overall health of our local economy (not to mention the great food they supply to the public). Get off your soapbox and find something else to complain about. You obviously didn’t even read the article carefully. There’s no “free ride” here.
My word people. This was not the landowners fault. No one was hurt, no one lost a home and forestry was there to endthe fire not start the fire.
“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.””
the readers need to take more time and read the story for what it is. No money exchanged hands. And what blueberry company are you all talking about???