Wildfire *

Description:

Any instance of uncontrolled burning in grasslands, brush, or woodlands. Minimum requirements for an event to be classified as a forest fire requires involvement of two acres or more.

Secondary Effects:

Because the forests of the State represent an enormous natural and economic resource, a major forest fire would have a long-term economic impact affecting industry, causing unemployment, serious erosion, loss of wildlife and agricultural land, and significantly impacting the tourism industry.

Vulnerability:

The State of Maine has 17.5 million acres of woodlands, much of which is used for the production of paper products and lumber. While adequate rainfall normally reduces the risk of forest fire, seasonal variations, rapidly draining soil types, and unusually dry periods can change the susceptibility rating considerably. Logging operations provide large amounts of ignitable slash, and budworm infestation has killed millions of trees providing a future supply of dry fuel on the forest floors, as well as tops of trees to sustain crown fires. Historically, forest fires have been considered one of the most significant hazards in the State. Improved detection and early response has helped reduce their effects.

Residential areas bordering forest lands are at risk if fires cannot be controlled. Campers, vacationers, and backpackers in the woodlands are vulnerable as communication with them may not be possible and isolated access roads may be cut off.

Mitigation:

An estimated 92% of all forest fires in Maine are man-made, either intentionally or accidentally. Therefore, public education and care in preventing forest fires is of major importance, as well as effective prosecution of arsonists. The remaining 35% of forest fires are ignited by lightning and beyond the control of man.

Spotting and warning programs in effect when forest fire danger is high will enable evacuation and firefighting efforts to begin as soon as possible.

Mutual aid agreements between municipal fire departments and including regional industry must be developed and maintained.

The Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Protection, in the Department of Conservation (also known as the Maine Forest Service) has an active role in education, prevention, detection, and response to and the suppression of forest fires in the State of Maine.

* An occurrence of this hazard could possibly be initiated by a deliberate act.

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MAINE PREPARES

Wildfire *

Description:

Secondary Effects:

Vulnerability:

Mitigation:

MAINE HAZARDS