SAXTONS RIVER — Fire crews were called shortly before 1 p.m. Monday to contain a brush fire ignited by power lines brought down by a fallen oak tree in a wooded area off Hitchcock Road in Saxtons River.
The fire was contained until Green Mountain Power crews could assess the suspected “live” electrical line that was the cause of the fire.
“We were extremely lucky,” one firefighter said, gesturing to the heavily wooded area around the downed power lines. “In this kind of forest, with all these dead trees, it could have spread quickly.”
Property owners said the Saxtons River Fire Departmemt responded within five minutes, and the fire was under control almost immediately.
Green Mountain Power spokesperson Dorothy Schnure confirmed that power had been cut following a report of a downed wire. It was restored within an hour of a GMP crew's arrival on the scene.
She said that a “live” wire caused the fire from a downed tree and reminded people to keep themselves, pets and children well clear if a wire is spotted close to or on the ground.
Increased fire danger
Property owners are reminded that mid- to late-spring is peak fire season in Vermont, with 75 percent of all fires during a given year typically occurring in April and May. Open burns can get out of control quickly in dry conditions, and it becomes even more hazardous if winds are blowing.
The public is reminded to exercise caution and follow local ordinances in regards to open burning at any time when brush fire risks are elevated.
Dead grass, leaves, and brush can become prime fuel for fires, particularly when dried out by sunshine, low relative humidity, and just two or three rain-free days in a row - conditions that Windham County saw over the weekend.
Fire officials with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation and the Green Mountain National Forest urge people to be aware of this danger and take steps to prevent wildland fires from starting in the first place. The majority of wildland fires in Vermont are a result of escaped fires from open burning by homeowners.
All open burning must have a Permit to Kindle Fire from the town Forest Fire Warden (find yours at fpr.vermont.gov/forest/fires/monitoring). The Fire Warden has the right to restrict open burning when fuels and weather conditions may enhance the potential for wildfires.
In addition to obtaining a burn permit, burners should clear the area of all flammable material, never leave a fire unattended, have a hose and tools such as a shovel or rake on hand, burn only natural vegetative material, and call 911 immediately if a fire gets out of control.