Maine tops 1,000 fires for the year for first time since 2002

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 25, 2020

With most of the state in drought conditions, Maine recorded seven fires Friday and has topped 1,000 for the year. The last time Maine eclipsed the 1,000-fire mark was in 2002. The state has between 500 and 600 fires in a typical year. Since the beginning of the year, rangers have recorded 1,009 fires that have burned a total of 997 acres. The leading cause has been debris burning, which is usually allowed if a permit is obtained, and is blamed for 278 of the fires.