April 5, 2012

Firefighters battle wildfire, harsh terrain, in W. Maine

By David Hench dhench@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

GILEAD — Firefighters are having to negotiate dangerous terrain as they battle a stubborn wildfire in a remote area in Gilead off Route 2.

The five-acre fire has been burning on Little Bear Mt., five miles southwest of Sunday River ski area in Bethel since Wednesday. Firefighters are trying to contain it because winds were expected to pickup this afternoon.

The firefighters from Greenwood, Gilead and Bethel have had to use ATVs to get to a staging area then hike to the fire site, according to the Maine Forest Service. Meanwhile, the Maine Forest Service helicopter has been dropping water loads taken from the Androscoggin River onto the fire, which had covered five acres.

The firefighters are working to keep the fire from spreading.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for today because of a high danger of forest fires due to dry windy conditions.


 


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