UNION — A forest fire that affected 6.5 acres of wildland near the Sidelinger Road, in Union, Sunday evening, Oct. 27, is being classified by the Maine Forest Service as an equipment-caused fire, according to Kent Nelson, Forest Ranger Specialist, for MFS.

Local firefighters spent more than four hours at the scene, Sunday afternoon.

Conditions in Southern Maine and along the Midcoast have been very dry.

“That, combined with low relative humidity and gusty winds, allowed a spark from the power equipment to ignite the dry forest fuels,” said Nelson. “Thanks to the quick response from several local Fire Departments, the fire was contained and will continue to be monitored.”

Until a soaking rain comes, the dry conditions remain ideal for the spread of wildfire.

Homeowners should use caution when using power equipment and check the area afterwards for signs of wildfire. If a wildfire is observed, call 911 and help the firefighters find the best route to the fire and any known water sources.

As a reminder, for those desiring to burn brush, a burn permit is required. Once the daily fire danger rating returns to low or moderate, permits can be obtained for free from www.maineburnpermit.com.

UNION — Local firefighters have spent hours fighting a brush and forest fire down behind a blueberry field off of Sidelinger Road, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.

Union firefighters and Maine Forest Service had been on scene at 506 Sidelinger Road for a fair amount of time when they requested more help from Washington FD just after 2:30 p.m. Union then requested more help from Hope and then from Rockport.

By 3 p.m., all operations moved to the end of Feyler Road, a one-lane gravel road that has a long off-road trail to the fire scene, estimated to be at least 1.5 miles away from Feyler Road. Because the utility road is so narrow and unmaintained, regular fire trucks weren't able to go back and forth, thereby requiring Union and Rockport FD all terrain vehicles to bring full water containers to the scene and return the empty containers for refills from the tanker trucks.

Washington personnel were released from the scene at 4 p.m. Rockport and Hope FD went home at 6:30 p.m., and Union followed about ten minutes later.

Fire danger has been posted as "high" for a couple of days.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com