A wildfire burning in rugged terrain about seven miles southeast of Gorham has ballooned to 1,000 acres and remained just 11% contained as of Wednesday morning, as crews battled steep slopes and tinder-dry conditions in New Hampshire's White Mountains. At least 50 personnel were on scene, backed by helicopters and drones, while firefighters worked to dig containment lines through the timber and leaf litter feeding the flames.
The Wild River Fire was first spotted Sunday afternoon, and by Tuesday had already covered more than 370 acres, according to the Concord Monitor. By Wednesday, officials said the fire had nearly tripled in size to 1,000 acres, as reported by WBUR. The blaze is burning through timber, snags and leaf litter, and officials say steep and rugged terrain is making it difficult for crews to access the fire directly, per the White Mountain National Forest.
No Homes Threatened, But Response Stays Federal
Gorham Fire Chief Philip Cloutier said there are no known residential properties in the area burning, and as of Tuesday, officials reported no significant threats to life or property, according to the Concord Monitor. Cloutier also said his own department has not been asked to assist, since the response is being managed by the federal government.
The fire's growth overnight Tuesday was reportedly driven by dry leaf litter, according to MyChamplainValley. Drought in the region has dried out conditions across the mountains, and the Concord Monitor notes the area has seen more than two weeks of unusually dry, warm weather, with no significant precipitation expected until the weekend. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the Monitor reports.
A Rare Sight in the White Mountains
Cloutier said a wildfire of this size is rare for the region. Speaking to the New England News Collaborative, he put the scale in perspective: “The largest wildfire that we can remember was just under 100 acres, and that was over 20 years ago.”
Forest Service officials are asking the public to avoid flying personal drones near the fire, since unauthorized aircraft can interfere with the helicopters and drones crews are using to monitor and fight the blaze. Anyone encountering smoke while driving in the area should slow down and turn on their headlights, officials advise.
