PHOTOS: It’s been a hot summer for most of the state, but Maine’s Forest Rangers have been getting down and dirty on these hot, hot days doing the business few would ever sign up for: fighting wildfires! Since the beginning of the month, these Rangers have crossed the state from Tunk Lake to Jonesboro, to Chester, to Burnham, and beyond, all to battle blazes started by malfunctioning logging equipment, fiery catalytic converters, lightning strikes, and a whole host of other causes, some of which included poorly extinguished campfires. And they’re doing it not only to protect Maine people, but also Maine resources.
Maine Forest Rangers posted on Facebook: “Ranger Wesley Hatch is on the scene of a wildfire with the Howland and Lincoln Fire Departments in Chester. A piece of logging equipment caught on fire, causing the wildfire. Rangers responded to a wildfire in Day Block Twp this afternoon. The wildfire was contained quickly and started at a timber harvest operation.”
“Ranger Martin Huysman investigated a wildland fire on the Centerville Road in Centerville Twp. It was determined that there were actually 4 separate roadside fires. Ranger Huysman located multiple pieces of catalytic converter in the fires.”
Many of the places they go are remote and require special modes of transportation. Sometimes they luck out, and there’s a body of water nearby from which they can draw water to use to fight the fires. Other times, they have to rely on overhead assistance or the use of all-terrain vehicles with small holding tanks. It’s pretty amazing to think about the effort they go to to make sure our state remains safe and beautiful.
