Wildfires on the rise as drought continues in Maine

PORTLAND (WGME) — Wildfires are happening more than usual as the drought continues in Maine.

According to the Maine Forest Service, there have been 762 wildfires in Maine so far this year, including one Tuesday in Alfred that burned a third of an acre.

Maine’s Drought Task Force says since 2021, Maine has seen 500 to 600 wildfires per year.

The Maine Forest Service says in almost every fire, people are to blame.

“Over 90 percent of our fires are human-caused, and the top causes tend to be pretty consistent: open debris burning that is, you know, improperly extinguished or escapes containment, recreational campfires, similar, that aren’t properly extinguished,” Maine Forest Service Forest Fire Prevention Specialist Terri Teller said.

She also says, as leaves fall and the drought continues, those dry leaves can fuel fires.

The forest service says the rain Tuesday night into Wednesday should help with conditions.