SEARSMONT — Their first time on scene, they labored, as Searsmont Asst. Fire Chief Ben Levesque put it, "until they ran out of daylight." 

Three times now, Searsmont firefighters and crews from mutual aid towns have worked their way into the growth behind 237 New England Road to extinguish stubborn flames. Levesque and others will return again Monday morning, for a fourth assessment.

Saturday evening, July 11, at approximately 6 p.m., neighbors reported seeing smoke and flames coming from a rear semi-grown clearing. A water pool was set up on New England Road, running a hose to the end of a long narrow driveway. But when darkness blackened the scene by 9 p.m., Levesque made plans to wait until morning for a final mop up. By 7 a.m., they were back, in the dust, chasing hot spots, with flames connecting to plant roots and running underground. They worked until 11 a.m., believing they'd gotten the last of it.

So it was a surprise to a neighbor who looked out a window again on Sunday afternoon, at approximately 5:45 p.m., and saw a tree in flames. 

At various times, Searsmont was assisted by crews from the towns of Appleton (at least twice), Liberty, Montville, Morrill, Belmont, Belfast, and Lincolnville. With those fire departments came two 6-wheelers, one 4-wheeler, and two side-by-sides.

Maine Forest Service responded initially.

In total, approximately one acre of land was impacted.