FARMINGTON — An intentionally set fire burned about a half-acre of hardwood leaf litter Monday between a multiuse trail in West Farmington and the Irving Big Stop on Wilton Road, District Forest Ranger Mark Rousseau said Tuesday.
The Maine Forest Service is investigating the cause and trying to find out who started it.
Farmington Fire Rescue Chief T.D. Hardy said he saw smoke coming from the woods when he was at Aubuchon Hardware on the Wilton Road about 6:30 p.m.
About 45 firefighters from several departments responded. The biggest problem was access to the site, Hardy said. Firefighters had to cut a trail to the fire because it was in a remote area between the Whistle Stop Trail, a former railroad bed, and Irving’s Big Stop.
Farmington and Kingfield departments brought ATVs equipped with tanks and pumps to the scene. Jay firefighters also brought their department’s ATV. There was no way to get firetrucks to the scene. Other responding fire crews were from Industry, New Sharon, Temple and Wilton.
Firefighters used hand tools and packs full of water with hand pumps to fight the fire. Hardy said top leaves and small trees were burned.
“Fortunately, (the fire) was fairly small when we found it,” Hardy said. Crews were able to douse it before it spread. They also dealt with darkness, leaving the scene about 9:30 p.m.
Rousseau said he went to the scene Monday night. He and another forest ranger walked the area Tuesday.
“We determined it is an arson fire,” he said. “We are still investigating. We are trying to determine what a motive would be. It was in a remote part of the woods.”
“We don’t know who owns the property,” Rousseau said.
He is asking for help finding the person responsible. If someone saw anything suspicious on the rail trail or someone acting suspiciously, they are asked to call the Wildfire Arson Line at 1-800-987-0257.
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