Maine Forest Service warns of high danger for wildfires

The Maine Forest Service says the danger of wildfires is high for the inland part of the state — from York County to Piscataquis County.

The Kennebec Journal reports that the service responded to nearly a dozen spot fires in southern Maine this past weekend. The paper reported about a half-dozen brush fire reports were logged in local police reports. The forest service advises that the fire danger is high because of dry brush, low humidity and windy conditions.

Parts of York, Cumberland, Oxford, Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Somerset and Waldo counties are classified as high for predicted fire danger. The forest service said a major cause of spring fires is debris and brush pile burning.

: A Lewiston firefighter looks for hot spots during a two-acre brush fire near the home of Stavros Mendros on Hogan Road in Lewiston on Sunday. Fire Investigator Paul Ouellette concluded the fire was accidentally set by a 14-year-old. Ouellette said the Maine Warden Service also responded to the scene. According to Ouellette, dry conditions and variable winds helped the fire spread quickly.

: A Lewiston firefighter looks for hot spots during a two-acre brush fire near the home of Stavros Mendros on Hogan Road in Lewiston on Sunday. Fire Investigator Paul Ouellette concluded the fire was accidentally set by a 14-year-old. Ouellette said the Maine Warden Service also responded to the scene. According to Ouellette, dry conditions and variable winds helped the fire spread quickly.