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Fire on Mt. Abram continues to burn for fourth day

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A forest fire continues to burn out of control at the top of Mt. Abram on Saturday.
A forest fire, discovered on Wednesday after a lightning strike, continues to burn out of control at the top of Mt. Abram on Saturday.

KINGFIELD – A forest fire continues to burn out of control at the top of Mt. Abram on Saturday.

The fire was first reported by two Kingfield residents on Wednesday after a lightning strike.

Ranger Mark Rousseau of the Maine Forest Service said a ranger went to check on the fire report that same day but it had rained and “the fire was not showing yet,” Rousseau said.

A ranger and helicopter went up the mountain on Thursday and smoke was located in a very remote, very steep section at the top. On Friday a ranger was able to pinpoint the location with fire fighting equipment but it had spread and more help was needed.

On Saturday, 10 area fire fighters and three rangers were called in to help battle the larger blaze. Staging is set up at the Kingfield fire station.

“The fire just blew up,” Rousseau said, driven by heavy winds that the decision was made that it’s too dangerous to send fire fighters up the mountain to fight it on the ground. Instead, helicopters are attacking the fire on Saturday in an attempt to at least slow it down.

The fire is on the middle peak of the state-owned, 6,214-acre Mount Abraham Ecological Reserve. The mountain, locally known as Mt. Abram, reaches an elevation of 4,050 feet and is the ninth tallest in Maine.

Rousseau described the terrain as “very steep, very rugged” with a very dense forest of spruce. Since the mountain and surrounding area are part of the reserve, there are no structures in harm’s way.

“It will take us some time,” Rousseau said to finally extinguish the forest fire, “it’s very stubborn.” Rain showers are in the forecast for Tuesday, but he added, it would need to be a good amount of rain to actually put the fire out.

The fire can be seen from Kingfield, Salem and Phillips. Attendees to the Kingfield Pops on Saturday evening are getting an even more dramatic backdrop than usual at the open air concert.

 Rousseau described the terrain as "very steep, very rugged" with a very dense forest of spruce. Since the mountain and surrounding area are part of the reserve, there are no structures.

Ranger Mark Rousseau of the Maine Forest Service described the terrain on Mt. Abram  as “very steep, very rugged” with a very dense forest of spruce, making it very difficult to get fire crews on the ground to fight the fire. The views of the fire at the top were taken from  Salem Road in Kingfield.
The fire is on the middle peak of the state-owned, 6,214-acre Mount Abraham Ecological Reserve.
The forest fire burning for four days as of Saturday is on the middle peak of the state-owned, 6,214-acre Mount Abraham Ecological Reserve.
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25 Comments

  1. Sure hope it gets under control before it spreads much more. Here’s a big shout out to our fire wardens on the ground and in the air for all of their work, especially in the heat today.

  2. If a lightning strike can do this on top of a local mountain when it’s this dry….. What can fireworks during the 4th of July do to more populated areas?

  3. Hats off to the fire departments and forestry service folks. Truth be known though fires like these are good for the land and are a part of a natural cycle in nature. They clear a lot of dense undergrowth and actually help to prevent even larger more dangerous future fires and the ash works like a fertilizer for the land.

  4. MIT’s got a point in relation to using caution and safety especially in wooded areas when using fireworks, the majority of which will be used next week

  5. Seems to me, that there should have been a more earnest effort made to put this out when it started. It’s been a long time since we had a major forest fire in that area.

  6. I just came back from that area and this fire is literally right on the top of the mountain ,the only way any fire crews will get up there with tools is by helicopter. there are helicopters dumping water on this from both sides and they are doing the best job possible on this very remote location .

  7. Seriously snowman? How many wildfires have you been apart of? Have you ever climbed a mountain with 75lbs of gear through thick underbrush trying to not only find the fire but also a water source to put it out? How about you volunteer to help instead of making ignorant comments hiding behind a keyboard.

  8. Snowman,
    There has been a “ernest effort” to put this fire out. Unpredictable winds and difficult terrain have made both land and air access extremely dangerous. Respectfully, unless you have been on this fire, I urge you to refrain from making negative comments on a scenario that requires good judgement to keep rangers and firefighters safe.

  9. It seems to me that fire needs to be halted. Doing nothing is not a good response, in my opinion. Why not call in a flame retardant plane/s? Look at how fast the California fires have spread. Just saying.

  10. Some people have no clue what they are commenting about. If you bothered to read this article in its entirety, you would realize that the terrain is to rough to send firefighters on foot to fight this fire. If they were to get at the location of the fire they would not have access to an ample water source. Get a life and read the WHOLE article!

  11. Really no surrounding buildings what about the school and store right in front of the mountain i know they are a little ways away but if the fire gobbled up 10 acres by the wind you don’t think it will get more. But shout out to the fireman hope you get it before it hits the school.

  12. Do the locals call Abraham Abram? Otherwise Mt.Abram is a ski area near Bethel but this one is Mt.Abraham and the article title is incorrect.

  13. I want to thank the people for all the support in this fight. I want to add info for them that think nothing is happening quick enough for them.
    Saturday the rangers tried to drop guys on the ground to get hands on. With winds to high and having to do dangers drops due to no landing spots this was not able to happen there was no reason to risk these lives to fight the fire. Good call maine Rangers they have dumped water by chopper sense the first report of the fire to keep it at bay. Yes i know how dry it is up there as I hiked in yesterday there is alot of under growth and moss that is crazy dry this fire should be huge due to the conditions on that hill but they have kept it at bay with the water drops. There was close to 20 guys on the ground yesterday an we worked up till about 1930 hr before hiking back off the mountain. The rangers I feel have all hands on deck for this fire to get the job done yes there will be days to come of hard hand tool work digging up the hot spots and working the grounds over. The ground is steep rocky and thick brush that the work is taking place in. There is no worry this fire will reach any homes or buildings with tomorrows rain coming an the hard work they are putting in today with boots on the ground it will make a big diffrence. If you look the forestry dept. had many large fires this weekend and being able to have two choppers all day yesterday and one all day saturday I have faith they are doing everything they can to knock this fire down.
    Once again thank you for the support and anyone that dont believe they are doing all they can im sure you can call up the rangers and ask where you can meet to pick up your tools for a good hard days work enjoy.

  14. May God continue to bless the efforts of the Rangers and fire fighters as they work diligently to knock down
    this fire. Please strengthen them and keep them safe. Thank you for your service and protection of us.

    Carol

  15. Yes, the locals all call it Mt. Abram. Lived here all my life and never knew it was officially Mt. Abraham until I saw it in the Maine Atlas a few years back.

    We’ve been seeing the helicopters go over. I’m thankful for the people who are working hard to keep the fire under control in the safest way possible. Praying for RAIN!

  16. Having walked in their boots I want to commend the firefighters and rangers in their effort- Every day I think of you folks and hope it works in your favor. Keep up the great work, we need people like you

  17. I cannot imagine how difficult it will be to “dig” out the hotspots in those massive rock fields with deep depressions filled with dry moss and lichens. Thanks to all who are working so selflessly to do so. And to those who are saying they should have got on it sooner…perhaps start training with your local volunteer FD and get your pager, then just for training sake, pick up a 70 lb pack and see how long it takes to walk there in 80 degree weather.
    Jiminy Christmas!

  18. Well just a update from what I heard yesterday from some guys on the hill said lots of hot spots still they finished working the outer edge of the fire where we left off Sunday. They got better water supply for up on the Mtn operations. Large holding tank was brought up to them so it sounds like some pumps will be used. They said it was still very hot and flashed up on them in areas when the wind picked up. Still sounds like it will be acouple more days of hard tool work hoping for the rain and the winds to die down.

  19. To the people fighting this blaze, good job be safe.
    To anybody who has not fought a forest fire, shut up. It’s hard to fight a fire in a house wearing full turnout gear. It’s extremely hot, you can’t see, now remove the house and add a forest, take the firefighters and remove their turnout gear, give them an axe and strap an 80lb Indian tank to their back and send them up a hill. All the heat, all the smoke, no protection from it.
    People get up and move when the wind blows their campfire into their face.

    Then once the initial fire is out, its time for boots on the ground, a stump can smoulder for days, all it takes is a couple sparks for a full blown rekindle. There is nothing easy about fighting fire.

  20. Please remember that the majority of individuals fighting this fire are VOLUNTEERS. They are members of our community (and surrounding communities) who are committed to all of our safety and well being. Aside from their regular lives they must commit to hours of training, education, and practice. It is a huge insult to suggest they are not doing enough – fast enough – they are the true heros of our communities.

  21. Thank you to the firefighters who are battling these blazes. I hope those of those in that profession aren’t reading the negativity here, the majority of people are so grateful for their service. Hoping some rain falls soon.

  22. Be safe, firefighters, and please know it was just one person here playing the contrarian Monday morning quarterback. The person seems to do it a lot on the Bulldog — knows everything (but doesn’t) and can do anything better than those who actually *do* things (but can’t). The rest of us know you’re doing your damnedest and taking risks that chronic complainer wouldn’t dream of. Thank you.

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