Maine state fire weather station sets up at Hope Historical Society

Wed, 12/12/2018 - 10:30pm

    At 89 percent, Maine is by far the most forested state on the nation.  Second-place New Hampshire has 77.5 percent forest cover; California, 17.8 percent.  Forest fires are a constant concern. 

    In 2013, Maine’s Forest Rangers began upgrading the state’s entire fire weather system to more accurately predict fire danger.  Intensifying its efforts in the wake of 2018’s California fires, the Maine Forest Service has reached out to Hope.

    In November, Hope Historical Society was informed by the Forest Protection Division that “The Forest Rangers have identified an area on your property that would be an ideal location for a fire weather station.”

    In early December, before Hope Historical had finished discussing the request, a beautiful fire station appeared on the back lawn next to the memory garden.  On a 4’x4’ cement pad and a 20’ pole for the wind meter, the shiny solar-powered station communicates wirelessly with Maine Forest Service.

    Hope Historical is pleased to be of service.  It remains to be seen how to get the Forest Service to tell us what weather we are having or teach us how to read it.