A lull in the wind Thursday came at just the right time for Lincolnville firefighters, who were called just after noon to a woods fire off Ocean Drive and Route 1.

Lincolnville Fire Chief Ben Hazen said the fire was called in by the resident at 11 Ocean Drive, who dialed 911 after the saw the woods on fire behind their home.

"A renter in the home next door was burning illegal materials, including paper, cardboard and children's books and thought he put it out," said Hazen. "He left it unattended and the wind rekindled the fire, blew paper into the leaves and it headed toward the neighbor's house as well as south toward the water."

Firefighters early on the scene saw what appeared to be a possible electric wire down on the ground, but Hazen said they determined it was a Lincolnville Cable line that had melted in the fire and detached.

"While we were walking around, down by the power line, that's when we discovered the burn pile," said Hazen.

The location of the fire was on the Penobscot Bay side of Route 1. Across Route 1, in the immediate vicinity of today's woods fire, Camden Hills State Park abuts the private properties that line the coastal thoroughfare.

A Maine Forest Service ranger was called to the scene, and he issued citations to the tenant who allegedly started the fire. Hazen said he did not know the man's name and the ranger could not be reached for more details.

Hazen said that in addition to fines for burning without a permit, burning illegal materials such as refuse, failing to properly extinguish a fire and leaving a fire unattended, among other possible violations of state law, municipal fire departments can seek restitution.

"When someone is burning without a permit and we are called out, we can seek restitution for our guys being out there, trucks running for an hour and other expenses we incur," said Hazen. "I chose not to do that today, but I would not be surprised if the cable company seeks restitution for the repairs they will have to make to their equipment that was destroyed."

Four consecutive days of "red flag days" has prompted the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to request that people be extremely careful with any outdoor fires. In a release Thursday afternoon, the agency said that across the state this week, more than 100 wildfires have burned well over 100 acres.

"Most of these fires are caused by people being careless while burning outdoors. Either the fire gets away from them, or they fail to fully extinguish the fire and it rekindles the next day," said Forest Service Fire Prevention Specialist Kent Nelson.

"The environmental conditions right now will allow an escaped fire to spread rapidly and could threaten homes and forested areas. Warm afternoon temperatures, low relative humidity and gusty, dry winds are a recipe for wildfire. Combined with dry, dead grass and fallen branches from last year, it doesn't take much for a small fire to get out of control," he said.

Burning without a permit on a class 4 day can lead to a summons for burning without a permit, said Nelson, and fines start at $100. He said a judge has discretion to increase the fine amounts when there are extenuating circumstances, and the person responsible for starting the fire is legally responsible for the cost of suppressing the fire and repairing damage.

“It can really get expensive,” said Nelson.

“Some people have good intentions, and are trying to actually reduce the risk of fire by cleaning up and burning debris, but the warm temperatures, gusty winds and low relative humidity is a recipe for a wildfire,” he said.

Nelson said as an example of good intentions, and ignorance of the dangers, a couple had just moved into a house in York County a couple of days ago and had no furniture and no phone. He said the wife left with the couple’s car, so the man decided to keep busy and clean up the yard.

 “He had no clue, but he started a wildfire,” said Nelson. ”He was really remorseful. He was from out of state and while many of us know the dangers of spring wildfires, some people just don’t know and we can’t educate the public enough this time of year.”

In addition, he said people new to the area think that when they call in a fire, the fire department will arrive within minutes. But in rural areas, he said, and even in not-so-rural areas but with volunteer department, it can take a while to muster enough for a crew due to people being spread out, being at work, etc.

Nelson urged people to postpone burning their brush piles or having a recreational campfire until there is a significant amount of rainfall, and until the danger goes down.

“Just wait, just wait, I can’t say it enough right now,” said Nelson.

The wildfire danger report is issued each morning and is a good way to determine whether it's safe to have an outdoor fire. In most municipalities, it is required to obtain a burn permit, either direct from the town office or fire department, or online via the Maine Burn Permit System.

According to the state's online burn permit information, online burn permits are valid on Class 1 and Class 2 days on the day intended for burning. Online burn permits are for burning brush piles, wood debris and agricultural burns only.

In some municipalities, burn permits are also required to have a campfire.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655