Staff Writer
MAPLETON – Forest rangers joined members of the Mapleton Fire and Public Works departments on June 25 to chip away at a growing problem – excess brush and blowdown on residential properties that creates a fire hazard, especially in dry summer months.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
THE MAINE FOREST SERVICE, Mapleton Fire Department and Mapleton Public Works had personnel on hand June 25 in Mapleton, performing the task of chipping unwanted brush, branches and debris in an effort to reduce the fire risk around area homes. Here, the crew finishes work on one residential property. The crew included: Troy Carney, of the MFD; Geoff Skidgell, captain of the MFD; Rich Wark, chief of the MFD and town fire warden; John Orcutt, road commissioner/superintendent of Public Works; and Tim McKinnon, MFS. Not pictured was District Ranger Robby Gross, of the MFS.
“We had at least 16 homeowners in Mapleton request we come and chip wood and debris,” said District Ranger Robby Gross, of the Maine Forest Service.
Using a large chipping machine designed to turn small trees and branches into mulch, the crew worked at various rural homes around the community to reduce the fire fuel load in the town of Mapleton.
“Homeowners looking to reduce the risk of wild fires have the option to burn the debris, chip it or haul it to the landfill. Burning requires they get a permit and hauling costs money for gas to drive the load to the landfill or transfer station. With our chipping program, we come directly to the home and can either leave the mulch on the property for use by the owner or we can haul it away, at no charge to the resident,” said Gross.
While some landowners asked for the mulch to remain on their properties, the majority had it hauled off the premises.
“What we hauled either went to the biomass plant in Ashland (Boralex) or to Matt Bell’s Northeast Pellet plant. We made a deal with Bell, based on the quality of material, to bring certain loads to his facility,” said Gross.
This was the first year of the program and Gross said response was better than expected.
“We had pretty good response. A lot of people called, asked questions about improvements that could be made to enhance fire safety,” said Gross.
The program is actually the result of a 2005 assessment.
“This is the result of a fire risk assessment that was done in 2005 in Mapleton. We wanted to make property owners aware of fire safety. One element is keeping a good 30-foot defense area around a home – clear brush, debris and flammable materials away from structures,” he said, “so if fire occurs, there’s a much greater chance of saving the home.”
By clearing brush and debris, fire is more likely to stay close to the ground.
“If you can contain fire to ground level, it doesn’t get to the roof as easily. You can still have trees. It’s just a matter of fire safety to get rid of downed branches,” explained Gross.
Gross said the chipper was acquired through a grant and enabled the Forest Service to begin the local program – a program that will help reduce the risk of wildfires and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.
“Without federal moneys (for such grants) we wouldn’t be able to perform such a service. There’s no charge to the homeowners. The service is provided to the owners by a combined effort of the Forest Service, Mapleton Fire Department and Mapleton Public Works Department,” said Gross.
Mapleton Fire Chief Rich Wark was on hand, helping the crew chip branches and debris at a home in the neighborhood of one of Mapleton’s many subdivisions, the fourth property the group had been to the morning of June 25.
“Most debris probably would be burned. For us, this is a safer alternative. It also won’t smoke up the area, thus reducing neighbor complaints,” said Wark.
Wark said the machine and crew working was a visual image that would help raise awareness.
“It helps us get the word out about urban interface issues – helps mitigate hazards. Most homes in this area have good lawns that serve as a buffer zone,” said Wark.
Wark would like to see the program expand to include Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill.
“I’d like to see it cover all three communities,” he said.
The program is also a good opportunity, said Wark, to show cooperation between local and state departments.
“It shows good cooperation between the community and state. And environmentally – it’s a much greener option than burning or carting debris to a landfill where it would probably be burned,” said Wark.
Wark referred to the project as a “pilot program” but hoped it would grow in coming years.
“Next year people will be more aware. We’d like to make it an annual event. The biggest issue is getting people to do it,” said Wark. “But in the long run, it pays off in benefits to the community by increasing fire safety.”
That was one of the reasons homeowner Randy Corey decided to include his property as one of the clean-up sites.
“We just bought the property last fall. I went to the Mapleton Town Office – I had a lot of brush I wanted to remove. I asked about the landfill and was advised of this program,” said Corey. “This was great for me and saved me from having to haul everything myself.”
Corey said once word gets out, he’s sure more people will look into being part of the program.
“I’m sure they’ll (Forest Service) get inquiries,” said Corey, acknowledging the program has helped him reduce the fire danger around his own home.
“This motivates the homeowner to get out and get to work cleaning up their yard. This is a win-win for everybody,” said Corey.
He said once the word gets out he can see the program getting even bigger next year.
“I sure like it. It’s a great program,” said Corey. “I started clearing debris weeks ago, not knowing about this program. People get discouraged by the inconvenience of having to haul or burn debris. But this program – they come right to your home, you don’t even have to be there. The work gets done for you, at no charge.”
