A rainstorm hit southern Maine on Sunday night and more is expected Monday, an encouraging sign for firefighters who have spent the past week trying to put out wildfires around the state.

Brush fires were reported Sunday in Wiscasset, Mechanic Falls and Newry, but they were all quickly brought under control, according to authorities. There were no reports of property damage or injuries resulting from the fires, which all burned less than two acres.

A dispatcher for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said the fire Sunday afternoon on Foye Road in Wiscasset started out as a permitted burn that got out of control. It was brought under control in about 90 minutes. The brush fire on Route 121 in Mechanic Falls burned just over an acre.

The largest recent wildfire, which burned more than 200 acres, broke out Wednesday night in the Washington County town of Lubec. The Maine Forest Service said that fire was arson.

Mike Cempa, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, said the red flag warning issued by the weather service last week was lifted Friday. With rain and showers in the forecast for Monday, Cempa said the danger of a wildfire is greatly diminished.

“We’re going to see some rain over the next couple of days,” Cempa said Sunday night.


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