A brush fire on an island in Alewive Pond over the weekend required a two-day firefighting operation by Kennebunk Fire-Rescue, according to a press release from Fire Chief Justin Cooper.
Firefighters were dispatched shortly before 3:30 p.m. Saturday to the area of 12 Boulder Drive after reports of smoke coming from one of the pondโs islands. Access to the fire was limited to boats, forcing crews to shuttle personnel and equipment across the water, according to the release.
Deputy Chief Colin Ayer served as incident commander, with Engine 4, Brush 2 and 3, UTV 1, Car 3, and an inflatable boat responding. Car 2 later arrived with a forestry trailer. Nine firefighters took part in the operation, with no injuries reported, officials said.
Firefighter Mouzas was the first to reach the island and began building a fire line to contain the flames, which covered roughly 175 by 75 feet, the release stated. Crews faced difficult terrain, including thick duff and fallen trees, and used portable pumps and backpack tanks to establish a water supply from the pond.
Despite access challenges, firefighters contained the blaze and worked through a second day to fully extinguish smoldering hot spots deep in the ground.
The Maine Forest Service is investigating the cause, which officials said was likely human-related.
