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Home > Forest Protection > Maine Wildfires Programs and ServicesBurning and Campfire PermitsBurning PermitsBurning permits are required for out door burning of brush piles or wood debris anytime throughout the year. Depending on the current fire danger, restrictions may be in place. Before considering burning, check the predicted fire danger by selecting the “fire danger” banner to the left (above the photo gallery listing) and check with local fire officials or the Maine Forest Service. In organized towns, a permit can be obtained from the Town Forest Fire Warden, who is often also the Fire Chief. In unorganized towns, a permit may be obtained from your local Forest Ranger or Forest Protection office. Hand written burning permits are free. Rubber, plastic and asphalt products cannot be burned. In selected areas, burn permits can be obtained electronically for a modest fee. The Maine Legislature has allowed the Maine Forest Service’s Southern Region to function as the test area for the on line burn permit system. In addition, electronic permits can be issued in all unorganized territories. Please visit www.maineburnpermit.com to see if your town or unorganized territory is listed. Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and Services. View STATE OF MAINE RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR OPEN BURNING Campfire PermitsCampfire permits are required for some remote campsites in unorganized towns. Campfire permits are site specific and valid for a short period of time. Registered Maine Guides can get a seasonal permit as long as restrictions are followed. In organized towns, landowner permission must be obtained and the permit can be issued by the Town Forest Fire Warden. Maine maps generally distinguish between campsites that require a permit (permit site) and those that do not require a permit (authorized site). If unsure, it is advised to ask a forest ranger or fire control employee in advance. Campfire permits are not required when the ground is covered with snow. Campfire permits are free. REMEMBER : FIRE PERMITS ARE
REQUIRED IN MOST CASES. Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and Services. Cooperator Assistance ProgramThe Cooperator Assistance Program is designed to assist fire suppression cooperators in obtaining fire suppression equipment at a reasonable cost. Fire suppression equipment is available at the General Services Administration or state of Maine cost. Equipment requests are routed through the local Maine Forest Service Forest Ranger. All requests are to be accompanied by a check for the items ordered. The program focus is on hand tools, water handling equipment and personal protective gear for wild land fire suppression. It gives smaller cooperators the advantage of bulk quantity pricing. Local Forest Rangers have handbooks and information on how to take advantage of this program. Contact the Maine Forest Service office nearest you for more information. Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and Services. Federal Excess Property ProgramThe Maine Forest Service acquires Federal Excess Property at little or no cost. Some of this property (such as a vehicle, generator, pump or trailer) is loaned to municipalities for forest fire suppression purposes. Use is restricted to forest fire control functions. All requests for Federal Excess Property are routed through the local Forest Ranger. Requests are evaluated and placed on a priority list. As equipment becomes available, cooperators are notified as names appear on the priority list. Federal Excess Property is loaned for the life of the equipment or until the need no longer exists. Federal Excess Property that is no longer needed is reissued or turned back to the Federal Government. For more information on this program, contact a local Forest Ranger or the Federal Excess Property Specialist at (207) 827-1807. Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and and Services. Volunteer Fire Assistance Program The Volunteer Fire Assistance Program, formerly known as the Rural Community Fire Protection program was originally authorized in Title IV of Public Law 92-419, "The Rural Development Act of 1972." This act authorized up to $7,000,000 to organize, train, and equip local fire forces to prevent, control, and suppress fires in rural areas. In Fiscal Year 1975 the first appropriation of $3.5 million was provided for financial, technical, and other assistance to the State Foresters to carry out this program. Title IV was later repealed by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-313). This Act has been amended by the "Forest Stewardship Act of 1990" (Public Law 101-624), better known as the "1990 Farm Bill," to provide for fire preparedness and mobilization. Annually, federal funds are appropriated to assist towns with the purchase of forest fire equipment or to provide forest fire training. Grants require that towns match the grant funds dollar for dollar. Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and Services. Training and RecruitmentForest Ranger IIThis is investigative and protective services work in detection, prevention, presuppression, and suppression of forest fires and in enforcement of forestry, environmental, and conservation laws. Work includes preparing and updating fires action plans, training firefighters, and supervising firefighting operations; patrolling and inspecting an assigned area; observing, reporting, and prosecuting violations; investigating suspicious fires and suspected criminal activities; conducting public information and education programs; and preparing records and reports. To be a successful Forest Ranger, an individual must possess considerable knowledge of basic forest fire control, safety, and basic forestry practices. One must also possess the ability to work independently over a large geographic area, establish and maintain effective working relationships in routine and emergency situations, work long hours, communicate effectively orally and in writing, use good judgment, and make sound decisions, all under adverse and stressful conditions. View MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS and TESTING AND EVALUATION PROCESS for Forest Ranger II View Forest Ranger II Salary Schedule ViewMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS and TESTING AND EVALUATION PROCESS for Forest Ranger Pilot Contact the Forest Protection State Office for more information Maine Wildfire Arson Reward Program
Maine Forest Service Rangers Investigating a Fire Scene If you have any information regarding arson-related
fires, please call 1-800-987-0257 . Your call will
be kept in strict confidence. If your information leads to the
arrest or conviction of an arsonist, you will receive a cash reward up to
$2,000.00.
Read more about Maine Wildfire Arson Reward Program Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and Services. Causes of WildfiresNinety (90%) of all wildfires in Maine are caused by people and are preventable. Only lightning caused fires cannot be prevented. Escaped debris burning continues to be the number one cause, with arson second. Maine's wildfire season usually begins in March in
coastal and southern sections, gradually extending to central, western and
northern areas. The wildfire season usually ends in late November. The majority
of wildfires usually occur in April and May, when home owners are cleaning up
from the winter months, and when the majority of vegetation is void of any
appreciable moisture making them highly flammable. Once "green-up"
takes place in late May to early June, the fire danger usually is reduced
somewhat. Return to Forest Protection Programs and and Services. Timber Trespass and Timber Theft It is estimated that Maine Forest Service Rangers investigate over 1000 complaints annually involving timber trespass or deliberate theft of timber. Timber harvesting is a large part of Maine's economy. However, often times property lines are not well defined resulting in timber being cut without the landowner's permission. In some cases, a few loggers specifically target forest landowners, especially non-residents and the elderly. Individuals who make their living stealing timber give the entire industry a black eye. The vast majority of loggers are honest, reputable business men and women. Their ability to obtain timber harvesting contracts is hindered by this very small group of timber thieves. As a forest landowner, here are a few steps you can take to prevent timber trespass/theft:
It is also helpful for landowners to know the laws that are designed to protect them from timber theft. Note: these laws are paraphrased, for exact wording please visit http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/search.asp
Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and and Services. Christmas Tree and Wreath Tipping LawsIt is estimated that 2-3 million Christmas wreaths are made each year in Maine, making it one of the largest seasonal industries in our State. It takes on an average of 3-5 pounds of brush to make one wreath. Fir and pine tips or brush are among the most in demand. The supply comes from both small and large woodland ownerships. The harvesting of wreath brush or tips is commonly referred to as "Tipping". Maine Forest Service Rangers spend a great deal of time enforcing these and other related laws. The "Tipping" season usually begins in early November and ends around the second week of December. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cut or transport Christmas trees or evergreen boughs (Tips) on land of another without securing written permission or bill of sale from the owner or his authorized agents. In the case of cutting, only one such permit is needed per work crew. When engaged in the cutting or transporting of Christmas trees or evergreen boughs the following is required:
Contact the Forest Protection office nearest you for more information. Return to Forest Protection Programs and and Services. Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission Maine's Forest Protection Division is a member of the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission or "Compact" which was formed shortly after the devastating forest fires of 1947. Members include all the New England States, New York, the Provinces of New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia, plus the New England Forest which includes the White, Green and Finger Lakes Forests. This Compact was assembled to bolster fire suppression capabilities, as well as meeting training needs. Equipment and manpower are often called upon during the forest fire season, greatly increasing each member's fire fighting arsenal. The full membership meets each year during a week long winter training/meeting session. Former State of Maine-Forest Commissioner Austin H. Wilkins was instrumental in forming the Compact, fifty years ago. For more information you may e-mail the Executive Director-Thomas Parent at necompact@pivot.net The Northeastern Forest Fire Compact Web site is located at: http://www.nffpc.org/ |
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