CUSHING — One might say that the first-ever fire on Gay Island — or, at least within the 25 years that Cushing Fire Chief Flanders can remember — was, technically small in newsworthiness. Yet, the time, effort, and expanse of resources consumed have broadened the scope of this small woods blaze.

On multiple days prior to Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, Cushing Fire Department conducted foot searches of the island, seeking the reason for random reports of smoke by day, related odors past dark, and a flash or two of flame into the night. However, the large island that lays tauntingly close to the mainland, off of Pleasant Point Road, is minimally inhabited, mostly forested, and not easily accessible.

At one point, a helicopter staged a flyover.

Friday, Nov. 8, answers started to come when, at approximately 1:15 p.m., actual flames were located. An unpermitted burn. Some cardboard allegedly thrown onto the flames. A quick acceleration.

In all, Flanders estimates the burn area to be between half and three quarters of an acre. Small in terms of catastrophic events. Yet, woodland fires jump around, find fuel sources in random limbs and leaves. Those sparks grab hold of roots. Those roots spread conduits underground. That burn area, located on the northeast side of the island is an approximate three-quarter-mile hike from the boat dock, at the southwest side of the island where a small skiff shuttled firefighters about three-quarters of a mile, three to four people at a time.

By day, said Flanders, it was hard enough getting people and equipment to the burn area. After dark, the challenges of the scenario increased exponentially.

By 3:30 p.m., Thomaston FD was in Cushing, lending a hand. By 4:30 p.m., Friendship Fire was being pulled into involvement for their forestry equipment. And, said Flanders to Friendship FD, you might want to bring a boat in order to get to the island.

As it happens, Friendship FD’s “Marine 1” fireboat is out of commission at this time. A short time later, however, Cushing incident coordinators sighed in relief when a local fisherman offered to help with transports.

All schedules are reliant on the tides.

Friendship and Thomaston personnel stayed until about 6:40 p.m. After putting in almost six hours, Cushing left for the night at 7 p.m., with plans to return in the morning to search for extensions and retrieve their equipment. Despite being called out again at 12:40 a.m., for a two vehicle crash on River Road, those fire personnel have maintained their island agenda.

Fresh daylight, and fresh eyes are considered a benefit. Saturday’s high wind gusts have created a new challenge.

Note: In 1776, Eleazer Gay bought acreage on what was then called Burton's Island. The island was then renamed Gay Island.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com