CARIBOU, Maine — A fire that engulfed a wooded area near 330 Belanger Road in Caribou was put to rest Memorial Day thanks to the efforts of the Maine Forest Service and members of the Caribou Fire Department.
Forest Ranger Mike Daigle said Tuesday that the fire, which was reported at 1:50 p.m. Monday, overtook 5.7 acres of old forest harvesting land owned by Guerrette Farms in Caribou. Firefighters managed to put it out around 7 p.m., Daigle said.
Monday’s wind worked in firefighters’ favor, blowing flames in the direction of a nearby potato field, Daigle said. Firefighters relied on the help of a helicopter based out of Old Town to extinguish the blaze.
Caribou firefighters set up a temporary tank and shuttled in water to battle the flames while members of the Maine Forest Service placed a pump and hose around the perimeter of the fire. Members of the Presque Isle and Limestone fire departments also assisted.
No injuries or structure damage were reported. The nearest home was about a quarter-mile away from the fire, according to Daigle.
Daigle said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.