Maine forest rangers are investigating what they now consider a suspicious fire that involved more than 50 firefighters and around the clock attention over the weekend on Sheep Island in Harpswell.
A lobsterman reported the forest fire on the island at around 2:30 p.m. Friday, which drew a response from several area fire departments and the Maine Forest Service. Crews had to remain on the island overnight and Cundy’s Harbor Fire Chief Ben Wallace Jr. estimated upward of 65 people were on the ground helping. Two helicopters with the Maine Forest Service aided as well by dumping several thousand gallons of water.
Wallace said there are nine structures on the island and all but one were at some level of danger from the fire. The wind was blowing the fire toward the northwest and north sides of the island where most of the cottages are located. Getting to the island was another challenge as firefighters and all of their equipment had to be transported by boat.
Wallace said the fire started in a pile of trees knocked down from past storms, which made it difficult to move through the burning debris and required chain saws.
John Bott, spokesman for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, said Monday that the fire was found to be “suspicious in nature” and remains under investigation.
According to the town’s online assessing database, there are seven property owners listed on Sheep Island and all but two have out-of-state addresses.
The town is not issuing burning permits due to the dry conditions. The Maine Forest Service has classified the Midcoast as a Class 3 or high-level fire danger area for the last several days.
Wallace warned that conditions are becoming very dry and urged people to be careful.
High alert
• HARPSWELL IS NOT issuing burning permits due to the dry conditions. The Maine Forest Service has classified the Midcoast as a Class 3 or high-level fire danger area for the last several days.
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