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The Plaistow Fire Department, and the State of New Hampshire Division of Forests & Lands work collaboratively to reduce the risk and frequency of wildland fires in New Hampshire. To help us assist you, please contact the 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 Town of Plaistow requires a permit to be issued anytime a fire is kindled out of doors, except for cooking grills. You
can obtain a seasonal cooking permit from the fire department if you meet certain criteria, call 382-5012 for more information. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services also prohibits the open burning of household waste. Citizens are encouraged to contact the 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 the 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!
CAUSES OF FIRES REPORTED |
Arson…………………………... |
5 |
Debris………………………….. |
197 |
Campfire………………………. |
38 |
Children……………………….. |
22 |
Smoking……………………….. |
41 |
Railroad………………………... |
5 |
Equipment……………………... |
3 |
Lightning……………………….. |
7 |
Miscellaneous*………………... |
119 |
* power lines, fireworks, electric fences, etc. |
TOTALS |
Year |
Fires |
Acres |
2007 |
437 |
212 |
2006 |
500 |
473 |
2005 |
546 |
174 |
2004 |
482 |
147 |
2003 |
371 |
100 |
2007 FIRE STATISTICS
(All fires reported as of November 8, 2007)
(figures do not include fires on the White Mountain National Forest)
COUNTY STATISTICS |
County |
Acres |
# of Fires |
Belknap |
30 |
95 |
Carroll |
11 |
53 |
Cheshire |
44 |
36 |
Coos |
6 |
15 |
Grafton |
4 |
30 |
Hillsborough |
61 |
71 |
Merrimack |
16 |
73 |
Rockingham |
16 |
22 |
Strafford |
19 |
32 |
Sullivan |
5 |
10 |
ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDLAND FIRE
Respectfully submitted,
John H. McArdle
Warden
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