ROCKPORT — A small brush burn quickly turned into an approximately 1.5 to 2-acre smolder after a gust of wind scattered flames onto a neighbor’s lawn, Sunday afternoon, March 21, in Rockport.

As sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s welcomed Midcoasters to this first day of Spring, many escaped the indoors by walking the neighborhoods or working on their lawns. Those burning brush were met with unexpected elements that ultimately prompted firefighter responses in both Rockport and South Thomaston.

In Rockport, crews maneuvered firetrucks up a private, one-lane dirt road off of Beech Hill Road around noontime. The crew hastened to seek, moisten, rake over, stomp down, and terminate flames fueled initially on a neighbor’s property within an approximate 3 x 3 or 4 x 4 foot burn parcel, according to a cursory estimate by Rockport Fire Chief Jason Peasley.

The owner of the burn tried to extinguish the spread with a garden hose, to no avail.

“Unfortunately, the wind picked up – up here on the hill,” said Peasley. “It caused a couple of leaves to catch the field on fire. From there, it took off. There was nothing he [the owner] could do.”

Flames varied in size from inches to a couple feet along the lawn, according to Peasley, entering into the treeline and scorching some trees before finally being stopped by – among other things – a stone wall. Because of the involvement of trees, the Forestry Service also became involved, taking over measuring and detailing the burn area.

Along with water, rakes and shovels were used in the extinguishment. Because of the heavy gear and proximity to flames, drinking water was also distributed among the crew.

Approximately half an hour after Rockport firefighters responded to the 12 p.m. call for assistance, 12 South Thomaston firefighters responded to Buttermilk Lane with all four of their apparatus and an ambulance.

At that location, a permitted burn of dead grass got away from the property owner due to a change in wind. Flames burned just under an acre, with the closest structure remaining approximately 500 feet away, according to South Thomaston Fire Chief Bryan Calderwood.

Around 1 p.m., as crews were headed back to the station, they learned of an unpermitted burn on Hayden Point Road. Seven personnel diverted to that location and found an approximate 10 x10 foot burn site beside a wooded parcel.

Firefighters extinguished the fire, with extensive overhaul, and advised and educated the property owner on the laws of burning.

Forestry was advised of both South Thomaston incidents.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com