Maine Forest Service Reports Fire Danger Very High

Portland, Maine - The Portland Fire Department wants to make the citizens and residents aware of the current high fire danger in the State of Maine.  As a reminder there is no burning of trash, construction materials, leaves, brush, deadwood and tree cuttings accrued from normal property maintenance in the City.  The Maine Forest Service is reporting that the fire danger in the entire State is Very High.  The daily report shows that all seven weather zones are considered to be Class 4 and that a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 12 pm – 8 pm.  As a result of the danger, all open burning in the City of Portland is suspended. Residents are reminded to be cautious with outdoor cooking fires.

Very High. Fires start easily from all causes and immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high-intensity characteristics; such as, long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds, when they burn into heavier fuels. Direct attack at the head of such fires is rarely possible after they have been burning more than a few minutes.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

Guidelines to the legal types of outdoor burning in the City of Portland can be found at www.portlandfire.com

The Main Forest Service issues a daily Wildfire Danger Report that can be viewed on line.

http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/wildfire_danger_report/index.html


Any questions call 207-482-LIFE or email at LIFE@portlandmaing.gov