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Your local Forest Fire Warden, Fire Department, and the State of New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands work collaboratively to reduce the risk and frequency of wildland fires in New Hampshire. To help us assist you, please contact your local Forest Fire Warden or Fire Department to determine if a permit is required before doing ANY outside burning. Under State law (RSA 227-L:17) a fire permit is required for all outside burning unless the ground is completely covered with snow. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services also prohibits the open
burning of household waste. Citizens are encouraged to contact the local fire department or DES at 1-800-498-6868 or www.des.state.nh.us for more information. Safe open burning requires diligence and responsibility. Help us to protect New Hampshire's forest resources. For more information please contact the Division of Forests & Lands at (603)271-2214, or online at www.nhdfl.org.
Fire activity was very busy during the spring of 2007 particularly late April into early May. As the forests and fields greened up in later May, the fire danger decreased. However, a very dry late summer created very high fire danger again from August into September, with fire danger reaching very high on Labor Day weekend. Even with the dry conditions, the acreage burned was less than half that of 2006. The largest forest fire during the 2007 season burned approximately 26 acres on the side of Wantastiquet Mountain in Chesterfield during the month of May. Our statewide system of 16 fire lookout towers is credited with keeping most fires small and saving several structures this season due to their quick and accurate spotting capabilities. Many homes in New Hampshire are located in the wildland urban
interface, which is the area where homes and flammable wildland fuels intermix. Several of the fires during the 2007 season threatened structures, a constant reminder that forest fires burn more than just trees. Homeowners should take measures to prevent a wildland fire from spreading to their home. Precautions include keeping your roof and gutters clear of leaves and pine needles, and maintaining adequate green space around your home free of flammable materials. Additional information and homeowner recommendations are available at www.firewise.org. Please help Smokey Bear, your local fire department and the state's Forest Rangers by being fire wise and fire safe!
Please remember Fire Permits are available at the Jackson Transfer Station from Jon Edgerly during the regular business hours. The Jackson Transfer Station is open Friday through Tuesday from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. Fire Permits are also available from Gordon W. Lang, Warden; Edward Dubie, Deputy Warden; and Kenny Crowther, Deputy Warden.
Robert Boyd Gordon Lang
Forest Ranger District #6 Fire Warden
FIRE STATISTICS 2007
(All Fires Reported as of November 8, 2007)
CAUSES OF FIRES REPORTED
Arson 5
Campfire 38
Children 22
Smoking 41
Debris 197
Railroad 5
Equipment 3
Lightning 7
Miscellaneous* 119 (*miscellaneous: power lines, fireworks, electric fences, etc)
TOTAL FIRES TOTAL ACRES
2007 437 212
2006 500 473
2005 546 174
2004 482 147
2003 374 100
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