November 3 – The state of Maine has had a dry fall so far, with parts of the state expected to remain in moderate drought through November.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded 3.61 inches of precipitation in the Portland area from September through October of this year, 5.41 inches below normal.
About 74% of Maine was abnormally dry or experiencing a moderate drought at the end of October – according to the NOAA National Integrated Drought Information System – and much of New England is experiencing similar conditions.
Dry weather has led to increased wildfires across the region late into the typical fire season.
Eastern Maine is experiencing a moderate drought, including Washington and Hancock counties and eastern parts of Aroostook, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Waldo, Knox and Lincoln counties, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Most of the rest of the state was classified as abnormally dry for this time of year. Parts of the southern tip of York County are also experiencing moderate or severe drought.
It was the 12th driest September through October period on record in Portland, said Derek Schroeter, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Gray. Portland experienced just 10 days of precipitation during this period, the second fewest rainy days in the two-month period on record.
Dry conditions are expected to continue into November, with NOAA reporting below-normal precipitation for the entire state through November 11. Eastern Maine is expected to remain in drought conditions throughout the month.
“This indicates that there will be little relief in the continued dry conditions,” Schroeter said.
All of southern New England was under a NWS red flag warning on Friday, a sort of warning of heightened fire concerns.
In Massachusetts, increased drought conditions have resulted in a 1,200% spike in wildfires in October, the state Department of Fire Services said Friday.
The lack of rainfall, combined with high winds and an abundance of dry, falling leaves, could also create the conditions necessary for wildfires in Maine. Much of southern and coastal Maine had a high chance of fire fires this weekend, and the rest of the state had a moderate chance, according to the Maine Forest Service Wildfire Danger Report.
“This is kind of an unusual fall, to have this kind of fire activity in late October, early November,” said Kent Nelson, a forest ranger specialist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Nelson estimated that rangers have responded to about 60 to 70 wildfires in recent weeks, more than normal this time of year.
According to the Forest Service, there is an average of 650 wildfires in Maine that burn about 550 acres annually. There have only been about 400 wildfires so far this year, but that number could increase as the drought continues, Nelson said.
“Ninety-five percent of our fires are caused by humans, so that means they can be prevented somehow,” Nelson said.
For example, by being careful when working in the garden. Lawn mowers and tractors can start fires if they hit rocks or other debris, Nelson said, and dry grass and leaves are like kindling for wildfires.
“Use the right machine for the right job,” Nelson said. “A lawn mower is not intended for cutting shrubs in the forest, that’s what a brush cutter is for.”
If you’re camping, Nelson recommends double- and triple-checking that campfires are out before leaving an area to ensure the fire doesn’t spread.
“It takes three or four times of putting water on it, stirring the coals and waiting a few minutes,” Nelson said.
The Forest Service recommends removing dead vegetation 30 feet away from homes and camps — but always make sure you get a permit before burning, Nelson said. Permits are available for free online, but are only valid if the daily fire risk is low or moderate.
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